1^0.164-16 5-166. 




MAYMARD'S 



1^0^ ENGLISH-CLASSiC-SERlES 



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ii 







W.H.Presgott 

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NEW YORK 

Maynard, Mbrrili. 6c Co, 

43, 45 &: 47 East 10I« St. 




ENGLISH CLASSIC SERIES, 

FOR 

Classes in English Literature, Beading, Grammar^ etc* 

EDITED BY EMINENT ENGLISH AND AMERICAN S0HOLAR9. 

Bach Volume contains a Sketch of the Author's Life, Prefatory and 
Explanatory Notes, etc., etc.: 



1 Byron's Prophecy of Dante. 

(Cantos I. and II.) 

2 Milton's I.' Allegro, and II Pen- 

seroso. 

3 liord Bacon's Essays, Civil and 

Moral. (Selected.) 

4 Byron's Prisoner of Chillon. 

6 Moore's Fire 'Worshippers. 
(Lalla tlookh. Selected.) 

6 Goldsmith's Deserted Village. 

7 Scott's Marmion. (Selections 

from Canto VI.) 

8 Scott's liay of the liast Minstrel. 

(Intro ■ 

9 Burns' 

and o 

10 Crabb* 

11 Cam pi] 

(Abri( 

1/S Macau 

Pilgr 

13 Macau 

Poemi 

14 ShakoE 

nice. 
in.,ai 

15 Goldsn 

16 Hogg's 

men^ 

17 Coleri) 

18 Addisc 

ley. 

19 Gray's 



31 Irving's Sketch Book. (Selec>^ 

tions.) ' 

32 Dickens's Christmas Carol, i 

(Condensed.) 

33 Carlyle's Hero as a Prophet. 

34 Macaulay's Warren Hastings. ' 

(Condensed.) 

35 Goldsmith's Vicar of Wake-;: 

field. (Condensed.) ' 

36 Tennyson's The Two Voices 

and A Dream of Fair Women, 

37 Memory Quotations. 

38 Cavalier PoetSc . 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



nder's Feast, 

loe. 

of St. Agnes. 

of Sleepy Hol- 

from Shake- 
) Teach Read- 
er Hill Ora- 

)rthoi3pist. A 

iciation. 

and Hymn 

spsis, and other 

Painters. 



Churchyard. 
20 Scott's liady of the liake. (Canto 

81 Shakespeare's As You Iiike It, 

etc. (Selections.) 
2/8 Shakespeare's King John, and 

Richard II. (Selections.) 

23 Shakespeare's Henry IV., Hen- 

ry v., Henry VI. (Selections.) 

24 Shakespeare's Henry VIII., and 

Julius Caesar. (Selections.) 

25 Wordsworth's Excursion. (Bk.I.) 
36 Pope's Essay on Criticism. 

27 Spenser'sFaerieQueene. (Cantos 

I. and IL) 

28 Cowper's Task. (Book I.) 

29 Milton's Comus. 

30 Tennyson's Enoch Arden, The 

ILotus Eaterg, Ulysses, and 
Tlthoniw. 



^ngr-x- tiw jniaH.«Bpeare Speaker. ^ 
60 Thackeray's Roundabout Pa- 
pers. 

51 Webster's Oration on Adams 
and Jefferson. 

52 Brown's Rah and his Friends. 

53 Morris's liife and Death of 
Jason. 

54 Burke's Speech on American 
Taxation. 

55 Pope's Rape of the I<ock« 

56 Tennyson's Elaine. 

57 Tennyson's In Memorlam. 

58 Church's Story of the .^neid. 

59 Church's Story of the Iliad. 

60 Swift's Gulliver's Toyag* t© 
I^illiput. 

61 Macaulay's Essay on Iiord Ba- 
con. (Condensed.) 

62 The Alcestis of Euripides. Enr- 
lish Version by Eev. B. Potter,M. A. 

(Additionai numbers on next page,) 



English Classic Series-continued. 



6S The Antigone of Sophodei. 

English Version by Thos. Franck- 
lin, D.D. 

64 Elizabeth Barrett Brownincf. 
(Selected Poems.) 

65 Bobert Browning. (Selected 
Poems.) 

66 Addison^s Spectc!,tor. (Selec'ns.) 

67 Scenes from George Bitot's 

Adam Bede. 

68 Matthew Arnold's Cnltnro and 

Anarchy. 

69 BeQuincey's Joan of Arc. 

70 Carlyle's Escay on Burns. 

71 Byron's ChUde Harold's Pil- 

grimage. 

73 Poe'o Haven, and other Poems. 

73 & 74 M:icciulay's Iiord CUve. 
(Double Number.) 

75 Webster's Keply io Hayne; 

76&77 Mac:^ulay's liaya of An- 
cient Rome. (Double Number.) 

78 American Patriotic Selections: 

IJeclaration of Independence, 
"Washington's Farewell Ad- 
dress, liincoln's Gettysburg 
Speech, etc. 

79 & 80 Scott's liady of the I<ake. 

(Condensed.) 

81 & 83 Scott's Manuion. (Con- 
densed.) 

83 & 84 Pope's Bssay en Man. 

85 Shelley's Skylark, Ado&alSt and 

other Poems. 

86 Dickens's Cricket on the 
Hearth. 

8? Spencer's Philosophy of Style* 

88 I/amh's Essays of Ella. 

89 Cowper's Task, Book II. 

90 W^ordsworth's Selected Poems* 

91 Tennyson's The Holy Grail, and 
Sir Galahad. 

93 Addison's Cato. 

93 Irving' s Westminster Ahhey^ 

and Christmas Sketches. 

94 & 95 Macaulay's Earl ,of Chat- 
ham. Second Essay. 

96 Early English Ballads. 

97 Skelton, Wyatt, and Surrey* 
(Selected Poems.) 

98 Edwin Arnold. (Selected PoemS.) 

99 Caxton and Daniel. (Selections.) 

100 Fuller and Hooker. (Selections.) 

101 Marlowe's Jew of Malta. (Ck>n- 

densed.) 

103-103 Macaulay's Essay on Mil- 
ton. 

104-105 Macaulay's Bssay on Ad- 
dison. 



106 Macaulay's 

well's Johnson. 



Biiay on Bos- 



107 Mandevllle's Travels and Wy- 
cliffe's Bible. (Selections.) 

102 109 Macaulay's Essay on Fred- 
erick tho Great. 

110-111 Milton's Samson Agonls- 
tes. I 

113-113-114 Franklin's Autobiog- 

115-116 Herodotus's Stories of 
Croesus, Cyrus, and Babylon. 

117 Irving' 8 Alhambra. 

118 Burke's Present Discontents. 

119 Burke's Speech on Concilia- 

tion with American Colonies. 
130 Macaulay's Essay on Byron. 
131-ia3 Motley's Peter the Great. 
183 Emerson's American Scholar. 
134 Arnold's Sohrab and Rustum. 
135-136 liOngfellow's Evangeline. 

137 Andersen's Danish Fairy Tales. 
(Selected.) 

138 Tennyson's The Coming of 
Arthur, and The Passing of 
Arthur. 

139 li well's ^ho Tislon of Sir 

liaunfal, and other Poems. 

130 T7hittier'3 Songs of I<abor, and 

othor Poems. 

131 Word of Abraham Lincoln. 
13. Grimm's German Fairy Tales* 

(Selected.) 

13" ^sop' Cables. (Selected.) 

13„ Arabian Nights. Aladdin, or 
th Wonderful L.amp. 

136-3P Tho Psalter. 

137-38 Scott's Ivanhoe. (Con- 
densed.) . ,^ 

139-40 Scott's Kenilivorth. (Con- 
densed.) ^^ 

141-43 Scott's The Talisman. (Con-. 
densed.) . ^, ^, 

143 Gods and Heroes of the North, 

144-45 Pope's Iliad of Homer. 
(Selections from Books I.-VIII.) 

146 Four Mediaeval Chroniclers. 

147 Dante's Inferno. (Condensed.) 
148-49 The Book of Job. (Revised 

Version.) ^ 

150 Bow- Wow and Mew-Mew. By 
Georgiana M. Craik. ^ ^ .^ 

151 The Niirnberg Stove. ByOmda. 
153 Hayne's Speech. To which 

Webster replied. 
153 Alice's Adventures in Won- 
derland. (Condensed.) By Lewis 

CARROLIi. 

154-155 Defoe's Journal of the 

Plague. (Condensed.) 
156-157 More's Utopia. (Con- 
densed.) 



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MAYNARD^S ENGLISH CLASSIC SERIES.— No. 164-165-166. 



The Conquest of Mexico 



/ 



William Hickling Prescott 



WITH BIOGRAPHY, CRITICAL OPINIONS, 
AND NOTES 



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Note. — To bring this work within the limits of 
school requirements it has been necessary to condense 
it by the omission of unimportant and uninteresting 
digressions, but in no case has the atithors language 
been in any zuay tampered with and the thread of the 
narrative rejiiains unbroken. 

It will be noticed that the book has been divided 
into two parts, each tvith its own explanatory notes. 
This division may meet the needs of many courses of 
study better than if the narrative were continuous. 



^-^9^J 



Copyright, 1895, Maynard, Merrill, & Co. 



1 
r 



CONTENTS 



Page 
INTRODUCTION « . . « ^ , ix 

CHAPTER I. 

ANCIENT MEXICO— CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS— PRIMITIVE RACES — 

AZTEC EMPIRE , . . ... 1 

CHAPTER II. 

SPAIN UNDER CHARLES V. — PROGRESS OF DISCOVERY — CONQUEST 

OF CUBA— EXPEDITIONS TO YUCATAN , , . 5 

CHAPTER III. 

HERNANDO CORTES — HIS EARLY LIFE— VISITS THE NEW WORLD — 
HIS RESIDENCE IN CUBA — DIFFICULTIES WITH VELASQUEZ — 
ARMADA INTRUSTED TO CORTES . , . . 11 

CHAPTER IV. 

VOYAGE TO COZUMEL — CONVERSION OF THE NATIVES — JERONIMO 
DE AGUILAR — ARMY ARRIVES AT TABASCO — GREAT BATTLE 
WITH THE INDIANS — CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED . . 17 

CHAPTER V. 

VOYAGE ALONG THE COAST — DONA MARINA — SPANIARDS LAND 
IN MEXICO— INTERVIEW WITH THE AZTECS— EMBASSY AND 
PRESENTS — SPANISH ENCAMPMENT . , . . 28 

CHAPTER VI. 

TROUBLES IN THE CAMP— PLAN OF A COLONY — MANAGEMENT 
OP CORTES— MARCH TO CEMPOALLA— PROCEEDINGS WITH 
THE NATIVES — FOUNDATION OF VERA CRUZ . . , 41 



IV CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Page 

ANOTHER AZTEC EMBASSY — THE DESTRUCTION OF THE IDOLS — 
DESPATCHES SENT TO SPAIN — CONSPIRACY IN THE CAMP — 
THE FLEET SUNK . . ... 52 

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE SPANIARDS CLIMB THE TABLELAND — PICTURESQUE SCENERY — 

' TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES— EMBASSY TO TLASCALA . 60 

CHAPTER IX. 

REPUBLIC OF TLASCALA — DISCUSSIONS IN THE SENATE — DESPE- 
RATE BATTLES . . . ... 67 

CHAPTER X. 

DECISIVE VICTORY— INDIAN COUNCIL — NIGHT ATTACK— NEGO- 
TIATIONS WITH THE ENEMY — TLASCALAN HERO . . 74 

CHAPTER XI. 

TLASCALAN SPIES — PEACE WITH THE REPUBLIC — EMBASSY FROM 
MONTEZUMA — SPANIARDS ENTER TLASCALA — INVITED TO 
CHOLULA , , . , . 82 

170TES . • • . ... 91 

MAP OF CENTRAL AMERICA . . . . . Xvi 

MAP OF THE COUNTRY TRAVERSED BY THE SPANIARDS ON 

THEIR MARCH TO MEXICO • . , , 39 



INTRODUCTION 



WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT was born at 
Salem, :N'ew England, in the year 1796. In 1808 
the family removed to Boston, where Prescott was sent to 
Dr. Gardiner's school, with whose son he formed a close 
and lifelong friendship. At school he was popular with his 
playmates, and showed in his studies a rare facility for 
acquiring knowledge rapidly and without sustained effort. 
In the year 1811 Prescott was admitted to Harvard College, 
passing his entrance examination with great credit. Soon 
after his admission to college a painful accident befell him, 
which, more than any single event in his life, made him 
what he at last became. One day, after dinner, there was 
some rude frolicking in the Commons Hall among the 
undergraduates, in which, however, Prescott took no part. 
But when he was passing out of the door of the Hall, his 
attention was attracted by the disturbance which was going 
on behind him. He turned his head quickly to see what it 
was, and at the same instant received a blow from a large 
hard piece of crust, thrown undoubtedly at random. It 
struck the open eye — the left. For some days he suffered 
severely, as if from concussion of the brain, and when he 
Avas at last enabled to return to his studies, the sight of 
that eye was gone, though no external mark indicated that 
an injury had been inflicted. Prescott finished his college 



Vi INTRODUCTION. 

career, winning the good-will of his companions by his 
bright spirit and infectious laugh. He had acquired a con- 
siderable amount of knowledge by desultory reading, for he 
was too fond of amusement and too indolent to become a 
student. After leaving college, he entered his father's office 
with the intention of studying the law. A second misfortune 
awaited him. He was suddenly attacked by a most violent 
inflammation of his right eye — the sound one — which for a 
time puzzled the doctors, and then developed into an attack 
of acute rheumatism. For some time he lived in a darkened 
room, and even when he was enabled to travel in search of 
health, it was only again and again to be attacked by 
rheumatism and almost complete blindness. He visited his 
grandfather at St. 'Michael's, in the Azores, and then 
proceeded to England to consult eminent specialists there ; 
but his case admitted of no remedy — one eye was completely 
paralysed, and the other could only be strengthened by the 
strengthening of his whole physical system. 

After a short stay in England he returned to Boston, and 
desired, in spite of his failing sight, to lead a life of literary 
occupation. It may seem strange that one, who in his college 
days had only the ambition of learning as much literature as 
a gentleman ought to know, and who had never been able 
to accustom himself to habits of industry, should now 
consecrate his energies to literary pursuits ; but the last six 
years of his life had been years of stern discipline, and 
during the long days spent in the dark room, graver thoughts 
and a nobler ambition had filled his mind. The difficulties 
before him were great. His classical studies, it is true, had 
never been neglected, but his deficiencies in modern literature 
were considerable. Of English he had had as much perhaps 
read to him as most people of his age had read to themselves. 



XNTRODUCTION". Vil 

Of French literature he knew nothing ; and of Spanish and 
Italian he had merely a schoolboy's knowledge. Moreover, 
he had constantly to fight against a tendency to waste his 
time, while the necessity of forming fixed habits of work 
was a task of no little difficulty. He determined to begin 
from the very elements, and, wisely too, to begin with 
English. He studied as if he were a schoolboy, beginning 
with Lindley Murray's grammar, and Johnson's dictionary, 
and then reading carefully the best authors, from Ascham 
and Bacon to those of his own time. Thus a year passed. 
Then, having finished this course, he turned to French 
literature, going, as he says, "deeper and wider" than he 
had done in English. Italian came next, and then Spanish. 
German, however, he was compelled, owing to his weak 
sight, to abandon. He now felt competent to begin the real 
task of writing a history, and searched for a subject. After 
some hesitation he decided on a history of the times of 
Ferdinand and Isabella. To enable him to attempt the 
work, a secretary, Mr. English, was engaged to read to him 
for five or six hours every day. Prescott was in no hurry. 
For the next three and a half years he was collecting 
materials, and then only commenced the actual composition ; 
so that it was not till the year 1837 (or thirteen years after 
the time at which he decided on his subject) that Ferdinand 
and Isabella was fairly delivered to the world. 

The work would not even then have been finished, had 
not Prescott been gifted with a marvellous memory, so that 
he could carry fifty to sixty pages of his book in his head 
without the need of writing any portion down. For writing, 
too, he made use of an ingenious apparatus called a noctograph. 
This instrument looks like a clumsy portfolio when shut. 
Sixteen stout parallel brass wires, fastened on the right hand 



Vill INTRODUCTION. 

side into a frame of the same size as the cover— ^much like 
the frame of a schoolboy's slate — and crossing it from side 
to side, mark the number of lines that can be written on a 
page and guide the hand in its blind motions. A blackened 
sheet of paper and a pointed pen of ivory were used by the 
writer, as in an invoice-book of the present day. Prescott 
wrote from memory with the aid of the noctograph, and his 
notes were copied out and read to him by his secretary. The 
book proved a complete success, more copies being sold in 
five months than were expected to be sold in five years. 

The Conquest of Mexico was begun in earnest in the 
year 1838, and materials were collected in the same careful 
way. By the interest of his friends he was furnished with 
many manuscripts from Madrid relating to the Conquest. 
Setting to work with more continued industry, now that 
he was encouraged by the success of his first book, the 
work was completed in 1843; that is, in three years and 
ten months from the time of its commencement. In the 
beginning of 1844 Prescott commences collecting materials 
for the Conquest of Peru, and in 1847 the book was 
printed. It would have been finished earlier but for 
domestic trouble and a gradually- increasing dimness in 
the sight of the right eye. During the composition of his 
first book he had been allowed to use his eye (under special 
precautions as to light) for some two hours daily, during 
the compilation of the Conquest of Mexico a little longer; 
but now he was reduced to an hour's reading, and that 
only with long intervals, never reading more than five to 
ten minutes at a time. He now returned to a subject 
which had long been attractive to him — the Eeign of Philip 
the Second. His labours, however, were interrupted by 
failing bodily health, so that he was advised to travel. 



INTRODUCTION. IX 

He set out accordingly (1850) for England, where he was 
heartily welcomed. He made the acquaintance of Macaulay, 
Eawlinson, Sir R. Peel, Wilberforce, and Milman ; was pre- 
sented at Court, and made much of at Oxford. Cheered 
in spirits and much improved in health, he paid a hurried 
visit to Paris, returning again to England after a few 
weeks, where he amused himself among his friends in 
the North, staying at the historic castle of the Percys 
(Alnwick) and at Castle Howard. Delighted with English 
country life, English society, and English aristocracy, he 
returned at the end of the year to Boston, and recom- 
menced his work on Philip the Second with renewed 
energy. The first two volumes were published in 1855. 
Towards the end of 1856 Prescott suffered much from 
headaches and physical weakness — the warnings of an 
apoplectic seizure which attacked him shortly afterwards. 
After a short illness he rallied, and was enabled to finish a 
third volume of Philip the Second. A fourth still re- 
mained to be done, but his strength failed rapidly, and 
he could no longer force himself to his former habits of 
industry. Early in 1859 the end came, and he was carried 
off by a second fit, which came upon him without warning, 
just as he had left his favourite study. 

It is generally allowed that Prescott's style reached its 
happiest development in the Conquest of Mexico. A more 
finished style prevails perhaps in Ferdinand and Isabella; 
but the freshness and freedom of description in the 
Mexico, especially the description of scenery, battles, and 
marches, are not to be found in the same degree in any 
of his other works. We have seen with what care Prescott 
prepared himself for his work, and how he laid the founda- 
tions of a correct style. At the same time he determined 



X INTRODUCTION. 

that whatever his style might he, it should at least he his 
own. Every word he wrote of the early chapters of 
Ferdinand and Isabella Avas re-written when he came to 
prepare the work for the press; so was the beginning of 
the Mexico. In the composition of his Ferdinand and 
Isabella there are perhaps traces of too much precision 
and of a certain stiffness. In the Mexico this is no longer 
apparent ; the style is perfectly natural and easy. Prescott 
confesses that he wrote his second book more freely, "not 
weighing his words like gold dust." Perhaps the great 
charm in Prescott's style is that the reader constantly 
finds himself under a sort of delusion that the writer 
himself took a personal part in the struggles, marches, and 
triumphs of Cortes army. The peculiar circumstances 
under which the book was written explain this charm. 
Being compelled to have everything in the way of authorities 
and opinions read to him, being unable to look at the notes 
he had written with the aid of the noctograph, he was 
obliged to turn over every fact in his memory and examine 
on every side whatever related to it. So that when the 
matter for any chapter was ready to be written down, it was 
stamped with his own personality. So too in the actual 
composition of the text, his infirmity of sight was a controlling 
influence. The facts, which he had so long stored up and 
examined in his memory, had to be written down by means 
of his noctograph freely and boldly, without any opportunity 
of changing the phraseology as he went along, and with 
little power to modify it afterwards. 



CRITICAL OPINIONS. 

Washington Irving began a History of the Conquest of 
Mexico, but abandoned it on learning that Prescott was busy 
with a work on that subject. 

" I need not say," writes Mr. Irving, in noticing its receipt, 
" how much I am delighted with the work. It will sustain 
the high reputation acquired by the 'History of Ferdinand 
and Isabella.' " Then, adverting to the terms of Mr. Pres- 
cott's handsome acknowledgment in the Preface, to which I 
had called his attention, he adds : " I doubt whether Mr. Pres- 
cott was aware of the extent of the sacrifice I made. This was 
a favorite subject which had delighted my imagination ever 
since I was a boy. I had brought home books from Spain to 
aid me in it, and looked upon it as the pendant to my Colum- 
bus. When I gave it up to him I, in a manner, gave him up 
my bread ; for I depended upon the profit of it to recruit my 
waning finances. I had no other subject at hand to supply its 
place. I was dismounted from my cheval de hataille, and 
have never been completely mounted since. Had I accom- 
plished that work my whole pecuniary situation would have 
been altered. . . . Whdn I made the sacrifice, it was not with 
a view to compliments or thanks, but from a warm and sudden 
impulse. I am not sorry for having made it. Mr. Prescott 
has justified the opinion I expressed at the time, that he would 
treat the subject with more close and ample research than I 
should probably do, and would produce a work more thor- 
oughly worthy of the theme. He has produced a work that 
does honor to himself and his country, and I wish him the 
full enjoyment of his laurels. "—X^/e of Irving, hy his nephew, 
Pierre M. Irving, 1863, vol. iii, pp. 133 sqq. and 143 sqq. 
When, in after-times, the history of our American literature 



XU CRITICAL OPINIONS. 

shall be written, it will be told with admiration how, in the 
front rank of a school of contemporary historical writers flour- 
ishing in the United States in the second quarter of the nine- 
teenth century, more numerous and not less distinguished 
than those of any other country, a young man, who was not 
only born to affluence and exposed to all its seductions, but 
who seemed forced into inaction by the cruel accident of his 
youth, devoted himself to that branch of literary effort which 
seems most to require the eyesight of the student, and com- 
posed a series of historical works not less remarkable for their 
minute and accurate learning, than their beauty of style, calm 
philosophy, acute delineation of character, and sound good 
sense. No name more brilliant than his will descend to pos- 
terity on the roll of American authors. So long as in ages far 
distant, and not only in countries now refined and polished, 
but in those not yet brought into the domain of civilization, 
the remarkable epoch which he has described shall attract the 
attention of men ; so long as the consolidation of the Spanish 
monarchy and the expulsion of the Moors, the mighty theme 
of the discovery of America, the sorrowful glories of Colum- 
bus, the mail-clad forms of Cortez and Pizarro, and the other 
grim conquistadores, trampling new-found empires under the 
hoofs of their cavalry, shall be subjects of literary interest ; so 
long as the blood shall curdle at the cruelties of Alva and the 
fierce struggles of the Moslem in the East— so long will the 
writings of our friend be read. With respect to some of them, 
time, in all human probability, will add nothing to his ma- 
terials. . . . 

Finally, sir, among the masters of historic writing, the few 
great names of ancient and modern renown in this depart- 
ment, — our lamented friend and associate has passed to a 
place among the most honored and distinguished. Whenever 
this branch of polite literature shall be treated of by some 
future Bacon, and the names of those shall be repeated who 
have possessed in the highest degree that rare skill by which 
the traces of a great plan in the fortunes of mankind are ex- 



CRITICAL OPINIONS. XllI 

plored, and the living body of a nation is dissected by the keen 
edge of truth, and guilty kings and guilty races summoned to 
the bar of justice, and the footsteps of God pointed out along 
the pathways of time, his name will be mentioned with the 
immortal trios of Greece and Kome, and the few who in the 
modern languages stand out the rivals of their fame. — Oration 
of Edward Everett on Prescott. 

While he was employed on his next work, " The Conquest 
of Mexico," he made such memoranda as the following : "I 
will write calamo currente, and not weigh out my words like 
gold-dust, which they are far from being." "Be not fastidi- 
ous, especially about phraseology. Do not work for too much 
euphony. It is lost in the mass." "Do not elaborate and 
podder over the style." " Think more of general effect ; don't 
quiddle." When the Mexico was published he found no reason 
to regret the indulgence he had thus granted to himself in its 
composition. He learned at once, from the Eeviews and in 
many other ways, that his manner was regarded as richer, 
freer, more animated and graceful than it had been in his 
Ferdinand and Isabella. " This," he says, " is a very impor- 
tant fact ; for I wrote with much less fastidiousness and elab- 
oration. Yet I rarely wrote without revolving the chapter 
half a dozen times in my mind. But I did not podder over 
particular phrases. " From this time to the end of his life — a 
period of fifteen years — he makes hardly any memoranda on 
his style, and none of any consequence. Nor was there any 
reason why he should. His manner of writing was, from the 
time he published " The Conquest of Mexico," not only formed, 
but sanctioned ; and sanctioned not only by the public at large, 
but by those whose opinion is decisive. ... It may, perhaps, 
seem singular to those who knew him little, that such a style 
should have been formed by such a process ; that the severe, 
minute rules and principles in which it was originally laid 
should have been, as it were, cavalierly thrown aside, and a 
manner, sometimes gay and sparkling, sometimes rich and elo- 



XIY CRITICAL OPINIONS. 

quent, but always natural and easy, should have been the 
result. This, however, was characteristic of his whole moral 
constitution and conduct, and was in harmony with the prin- 
ciples and habits that in other respects governed his life. 
Thus every day in his study he was rigorous with himself and 
watchful of those he employed ; but in his family and with 
his friends nobody was more free, gay, and unexacting. . . . 
How vigilant he was in whatever regarded his character ; how 
strictly he called himself to account in those solitary half-hours 
on Sunday, when he looked over the secret record of his fail- 
ings and faults, we have seen ; but who ever saw restraint in 
his manner when he was with others ; who ever saw him when 
he seemed to be watchful of himself, or to be thinking of the 
principles that governed his life ? And just so it was with his 
style. He wrote rapidly and easily. But the rules and prin- 
ciples on which his manner rested, even down to its smallest 
details, had been so early and so deeply settled, that they had 
become like instincts, and were neither recurred to nor needed 
when he was in the final act of composition. — George Ticknofs 
Life of Prescott. 

His personal appearance itself was singularly pleasing and 
won for him everywhere in advance a welcome and favor. 
His countenance had something that brought to mind "the 
beautiful disdain " that hovers on that of the Apollo. But, 
while he was high spirited, he was tender, and gentle, and 
humane. His voice was like music, and one could never hear 
enough of it. His cheerfulness reached and animated all 
about him. He could indulge in playfulness and could also 
speak earnestly and profoundly ; but he knew not how to be 
ungracious or pedantic. In truth, the charms of his conver- 
sation were unequalled, he so united the rich stores of memory 
with the ease of one who is familiar with the world. . . , 

We none of us know of his writing one line that he could 
wish to blot, or uttering a word of which the echo need be sup- 
pressed. — Geo. Bancroft's remarks lefore the N. Y.Hist. Society. 



CONQUEST OF MEXICO 



CHAPTER I. 

ANCIENT MEXICO — CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS — PEIMfTIVE RACES— 
AZTEC EMPIRE. 

THE country of the ancient Mexicans, or Aztecs as they 
were called, formed but a very small part of the extensive 
territories comprehended in the modern republic of Mexico. 
Its boundaries cannot be defined with certainty. They were 
much enlarged in the latter days of the empire, when they 5 
may be considered as reaching from about the eighteenth 
degree north, to the twenty-first on the Atlantic ; and from 
the fourteenth to the nineteenth, including a very narrow 
strip, on the Pacific. In its greatest breadth, it could not 
exceed five degrees and a half, dwindling, as it approached 10 
its south-eastern limits, to less than two. It covered, prob- 
ably, less than sixteen thousand square leagues. Yet, such 
is the remarkable formation of this country, that, though not 
more than twice as large as ISTew England, it presented every 
variety of climate, and was capable of yielding nearly every 15 
fruit found between the equator and the Arctic circle. 

All along the Atlantic the country is bordered by a broad 
tract, called the tierra caliente, or hot region, which has 
the usual high temperature of equinoctial lands. Parched 
and sandy plains are intermingled with others of exuberant 20 
fertility, almost impervious from thickets of aromatic shrubs 
and wild flowers, in the midst of which tower up trees of 
that magnificent growth which is found only within the 
tropics. In this wilderness of sweets lurks the fatal malaria, 

B 



2 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. 

25 engendered, probably, by the decomposition of rank vege- 
table substances in a hot and humid soil. The season of 
the bilious feYGY—vomito, as it is called — which scourges 
these coasts, continues from the spring to the autumnal 
equinox, when it is checked by the cold winds that descend 

80 from Hudson's Bay. After passing some twenty leagues 
across this burning region, the traveller finds himself rising 
into a purer atmosphere. The aspect of nature, too, has 
changed, and his eye no longer revels among the gay variety 
of colours with which the landscape was painted there. The 

35 vanilla, the indigo, and the flowering cocoa-groves disappear 
as he advances. The sugar-cane and the glossy-leaved 
banana still accompany him ; and, when he has ascended 
about four thousand feet, he sees in the unchanging verdure 
that he has reached the height where clouds and mists settle, 

40 in their passage' from the Mexican Gulf. This is the region 
of perpetual humidity ; but he welcomes it with pleasure, as 
announcing his escape from the influence of the deadly 
vomito. He has entered the tierra templada, or temperate 
region, whose character resembles that of the temperate zone 

45 of the globe. The features of the scenery become grand, and 
even terrible. His road sweeps along the base of mighty 
mountains, once gleaming with volcanic fires, and still re- 
splendent in their mantles of snow, which serve as beacons 
to the mariner, for many a league at sea. 

60 Still pressing upwards, the traveller mounts into other 
climates, favourable to other kinds of cultivation. The 
yellow maize, or Indian corn, as we usually call it, has 
continued to follow him up from the lowest level; but 
he now first sees fields of wheat, and the other European 

55 grains, brought into the country by the conquerors. The 
oaks now acquire a sturdier growth, and the dark forests of 
pine announce that he has entered the tierra fria, or cold 
region, the third and last of the great natural terraces into 
which the country is divided. When he has climbed to 

«>0 the height of between seven and eight thousand feet, the 
weary traveller sets his foot on the summit of the Cordillera 
of the Andes — the colossal range that, after traversing 



I.] CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS. 3 

Soutli America and the Isthmus of Darien, spreads out, as 
it enters Mexico, into that vast sheet of table land which 
maintains an elevation of more than six thousand feet, for 65 
the distance of nearly two hundred leagues, until it 
gradually declines in the higher latitudes of the north. In 
the time of the Aztecs, the table land was thickly covered 
with larch, oak, cypress, and other forest trees, the extra- 
ordinary dimensions of some of which, remaining to the 70 
present day, show that the curse of barrenness in later times 
is chargeable more on man than on nature. Indeed the early 
Spaniards made as indiscriminate war on the forests as did 
our Puritan ancestors, though with much less reason. 

Midway across the continent, somewhat nearer the Pacific 75 
than the Atlantic ocean, at an elevation of nearly seven 
thousand five hundred feet, is the celebrated Yalley of Mexico. 
It is of an oval form, about sixty-seven leagues in cir- 
cumference, and is encompassed by a towering rampart of 
porphyritic rock, which nature seems to have provided, 80 
though inefiectually, to protect it from invasion. 

The soil, once carpeted with a beautiful verdure and 
thickly sprinkled with stately trees, is often bare, and, in 
many places, white with the incrustation of salts, caused by 
the draining of the waters. Five lakes are spread over the 85 
Valley, occupying one tenth of its surface. On the opposite 
borders of the largest of these basins, much shrunk in its 
dimensions since the days of the Aztecs, stood the cities of 
Mexico and Tezcuco, the capitals of the two most potent and 
flourishing states of Anahuac. 90 

The Toltecs were the most conspicuous of the early races 
inhabiting this district: they in turn were followed by 
other tribes of higher civilization. The most noted of 
these were the Aztecs, or Mexicans, and the Tezcucans, so 
called from their capital, Tezcuco, on the eastern border of 95 
the Mexican lake. 

The Mexicans, with whom our history is principally con- 
cerned, came from the remote regions of the north. They 
arrived on the borders of Anahuac towards the beginning of 
the thirteenth century. 100 



4 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. 

In the early part of the fifteenth century was formed a 
remarkable league, which, indeed, has no parallel in history. 
It was agreed between the states of Mexico, Tezcuco, and 
the neighbouring little kingdom of Tlacopan, that they 

105 should mutually support each other in their wars, offensive 
and defensive, and that, in the distribution of the spoil, 
one-fifth should be assigned to Tlacopan, and the remainder 
be divided, in what proportions is uncertain, between the 
other powers. During a century of uninterrupted warfare 

110 that ensued, no instance occurred where the parties quar- 
relled over the division of the spoil, which so often makes 
shipwreck of similar confederacies among civilised states. 

At the beginning of the sixteenth century, just before 
the arrival of the Spaniards, the Aztec dominion reached 

115 across the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and, 
under the bold' and bloody Ahuitzotl, its arms had been 
carried far over the limits already noticed as defining its 
permanent territory, into the farthest corners of Guatemala 
and ITiearagua. 



CHAPTER 11. 

SPAIN UNDER CHAELES V. — PROGRESS OF DISCOVERT— CONQUEST 
OF CUBA — EXPEDITIONS TO YUCATAN. 

1516-1518. 

IN the beginning of the sixteenth century, Spain occupied 
perhaps the most prominent position on the theatre of 
Europe. The numerous states, into which she had been 
so long divided, were consolidated into one monarchy. The 
Moslem crescent, after reigning there for eight centuries, 5 
was no longer seen on her borders. The authority of the 
crown did not, as in later times, overshadow the inferior 
orders of the state. The people enjoyed the inestimable 
privilege of political representation, and exercised it with 
manly independence. The nation at large could boast as 10 
great a degree of constitutional freedom, as any other, at 
that time, in Christendom. Under a system of salutary 
laws and an equitable administration, domestic tranquillity 
was secured, public credit established, trade, manufactures, 
and even the more elegant arts, began to flourish ; while 15- 
a higher education called forth the first blossoms of that 
literature, which was to ripen into so rich a harvest, before 
the close of the century. Arms abroad kept pace with 
arts at home. Spain found her empire suddenly enlarged, 
by important acquisitions, both in Europe and Africa, while a 20' 
New World beyond the waters poured into her lap treasures 
of countless wealth, and opened an unbounded field for 
honourable enterprise. 

Such was the condition of the kingdom at the close of 
the long and glorious reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, when, 25- 
on the 23rd of January, 1516, the sceptre passed into the 



6 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. 

hands of their daughter Joanna, or rather their grandson, 
Charles the Fifth, who alone ruled the monarchy during 
the long and imbecile existence of his unfortunate mother. 

80 The progress of discovery had extended, by the beginning 
of Charles the Fifth's reign, from the Bay of Honduras, 
along the winding shores of Darien, and the South American 
continent, to the Eio de la Plata. The mighty barrier of 
the Isthmus had been climbed, and the Pacific descried, by 

S5 Nunez de Balboa, second only to Columbus in this valiant 
band of "ocean chivalry." The Bahamas and Caribbee 
Islands had been explored, as well as the Peninsula of 
Florida on the northern continent. To this latter point 
Sebastian Cabot had arrived in his descent along the coast 

40 from Labrador, in 1497. So that before 1518, the period 
when our narrative begins, the eastern borders of both the 
great continents had been surveyed through nearly their 
whole extent. The shores of the great Mexican Gulf, how- 
ever, sweeping with a wide circuit far into the interior, 

45 remained still concealed, with the rich realms that lay 
beyond, from the eye of the navigator. The time had now 
come for their discovery. 

Of the islands, Cuba was the second discovered ; but no 
attempt had been made to plant a colony there during the 

60 lifetime of Columbus ; who, indeed, after skirting the whole 
extent of its southern coast, died in the conviction that it 
was part of the continent. At length, in 1511, Diego, the 
son and successor of the "Admiral," who still maintained 
the seat of government in Hispaniola, finding the mines 

65 much exhausted there, proposed to occupy the neighbouring 
island of Cuba, or Fernandina, as it was called, in com- 
pliment to the Spanish monarch. He prepared a small 
force for the conquest, which he placed under the command 
of Don Diego Velasquez; a man described by a contem- 

60 porary, as " possessed of considerable experience in military 
affairs, having served seventeen years in the European wars; 
as honest, illustrious by his lineage and reputation, covetous 
of glory, and somewhat more covetous of wealth." The 
portrait was sketched by no unfriendly hand. 



n.] COLONIAL P^ICT. 7 

"Velasquez, or rather his lieutenant ITarvaez, who took 65 
the office on himself of scouring the country, met with no 
serious opposition from the inhabitants, who were of the 
same family with the efifeminate natives of Hispaniola. 
The conquest, through the merciful interposition of Las 
Casas, " the protector of the Indians," who accompanied 70 
the army in its march, was efifected without much bloodshed. 

After the conquest, Velasquez, now appointed governor, 
diligently occupied himself with measures for promoting the 
prosperity of the Island. He formed a number of settle- 
ments, bearing the same names with the modern towns, 75 
and made St. Jago, on the south-east corner, the seat of 
government. He invited settlers by liberal grants of land 
and slaves. He encouraged them to cultivate the soil, and 
gave particular attention to the sugar-cane, so profitable an 
article of commerce in later times. He was, above all, 80 
intent on working the gold mines, which promised better 
returns than those in Hispaniola. The affairs of his govern- 
ment did not prevent him, meanwhile, from casting many a 
wistful glance at the discoveries going forward on the con- 
tinent, and he longed for an opportunity to embark in these 85 
golden adventures himself. Fortune gave him the occasion 
he desired. 

An hidalgo of Cuba, named Hernandez de Cordova, 
sailed with three vessels on an expedition to one of the 
neighbouring Bahama Islands, in quest of Indian slaves. 90 
He encountered a succession of heavy gales which drove 
him far out of his course, and at the end of three weeks 
he found himself on a strange but unknown coast. On 
landing and asking the name of the country, he was answered 
by the natives, ^^Tectetan" meaning, "I do not understand 95 
you," but which the Spaniards, misinterpreting into the 
name of the place, easily corrupted into Yucatan. 

Cordova had landed on the north-eastern end of the 
peninsula, at Cape Catoche. He was astonished at the size 
and solid material of the buildings constructed of stone and 100 
lime, so different from the frail tenements of reeds and 
rushes which formed the habitations of the islanders. He 



8 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. 

was struck also with the higher cultivation of the soil, and 
with the delicate texture of the cotton garments and gold 

105 ornaments of the natives. Everything indicated a civilisation 
far superior to anything he had before witnessed in the New 
World. He saw the evidence of a different race, moreover, 
in the warlike spirit of the people. Eumours of the 
Spaniards had, perhaps, preceded them, as they were 

110 repeatedly asked if they came from the east; and wherever 
they landed, they were met with the most deadly hostility. 
Cordova himself, in one of his skirmishes with the Indians, 
received more than a dozen wounds, and one only of his 
party escaped unhurt. At length, when he had coasted the 

115 peninsula as far as Campeachy, he returned to Cuba, which 
he reached after an absence of several months, having 
suffered all the extremities of ill, which these pioneers of 
the ocean were sometimes called to endure, and which 
none but the most courageous spirit could have survived. 

120 As it was, half the original number, consisting of one 
hundred and ten men, perished, including their brave com- 
mander, who died soon after his return. The reports he 
had brought back of the country, and, still more, the 
specimens of curiously wrought gold, convinced Yelasquez 

125 of the importance of this discovery, and he prepared with 
all despatch to avail himself of it. 

He accordingly fitted out a little squadron of four vessels 
for the newly-discovered lands, and placed it under the com- 
mand of his nephew, Juan de Grijalva, a man on whose 

130 probity, prudence, and attachment to himself he knew he 
could rely. The fleet left the port of St. Jago de Cuba, 
May 1, 1518. It took the course pursued by Cordova, but 
was driven somewhat to the south, the first land that it 
made being the island of Cozumel. From this quarter 

135 Grijalva soon passed over to the continent and coasted the 
peninsula, touching at the same places as his predecessor. 
Everywhere he was struck, like him, with the evidences of 
a higher civilisation, especially in the architecture ; as he 
well might be, since this was the region of those extra- 

140 ordinary remains which have become recently the subject of 



II.] EXPEDITIONS TO YUCATAN. 9 

so much speculation. He was astonished also at the sight 
of large stone crosses, evidently objects of worship, which 
he met with in various places. Eeminded by these circum- 
stances of his own country, he gave the peninsula the name 
" New Spain," a name since appropriated to a much wider 145 
extent of territory. 

Wherever Grijalva landed, he experienced the same 
unfriendly reception as Cordova, though he suffered less, 
being better prepared to meet it. In the Rio de Tabasco 
or Grijalva, as it is often called, after him, he held an 150 
amicable conference with a chief, who gave him a number 
of gold plates fashioned into a sort of armour. As he 
wound round the Mexican coast, one of his captains, Pedro 
de Alvarado, afterwards famous in the Conquest, entered a 
river, to which he also left his own name. In a neighbour- 155 
ing stream, called the Bio de Vaiideras, or "River of 
Banners," from the ensigns displayed by the natives on its 
borders, Grijalva had the first communication with the 
Mexicans themselves. 

The cacique who ruled over this province had received 160 
notice of the approach of the Europeans, and of their extra- 
ordinary appearance. He was anxious to collect all the 
information he could respecting them and the motives of 
their visit, that he might transmit them to his master, the 
Aztec emperor. A friendly conference took place between 165 
the parties on shore, where Grijalva landed with all his force, 
so as to make a suitable impression on the mind of the 
barbaric chief. The intervieAv lasted some hours, though, 
as there was no one on either side to interpret the language 
of the other, they could communicate only by signs. They, 170 
however, interchanged presents, and the Spaniards had the 
satisfaction of receiving, for a few worthless toys and 
trinkets, a rich treasure of jewels, gold ornaments and 
vessels, of the most fantastic forms and workmanship. 

Grijalva now thought that in this successful traffic — 175 
successful beyond his most sanguine expectations — he had 
accomplished the chief object of his mission. He steadily 
refused the solicitations of his followers to plant a colony on 



10 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. 

tlie spot — a work of no little difficulty in so populous and 

180 powerful a country as this appeared to be. To this, indeed, 
he was inclined, but deemed it contrary to his instructions, 
which limited him to barter with the natives. He therefore 
despatched Alvarado in one of the caravels back to Cuba, 
with the treasure and such intelligence as he had gleaned 

185 of the great empire in the interior, and then pursued his 
voyage along the coast. 

When Alvarado had returned to Cuba with his golden 
freight, and the accounts of the rich empire of Mexico which 
he had gathered from the natives, the heart of the governor 

190 swelled with rapture as he saw his dreams of avarice and 
ambition so likely to be realised. Impatient of the long 
absence of Grijalva, he despatched a vessel in search of him 
under the command of Olid, a cavalier, who took an important 
part afterwards in the Conquest. Finally he resolved to 

195 fit out another armament on a sufficient scale to insure the 
subjugation of the country. 



CHAPTER III. 

HERNANDO CORTES — HIS EARLY LIFE — VISITS THE NEW WORLD — 
HIS RESIDENCE IN CUBA — DIFFICULTIES WITH VELASQUEZ — 
ARMADA INTRUSTED TO CORTES. 

1518. 

HERNANDO CORTES was born at Medellin, a town in 
the south-east corner of Estremadura, in 1485. He 
came of an ancient and respectable family. His father, 
Martin Cortes de Monroy, was a captain of infantry, in 
moderate circumstances, but a man of unblemished honour. 5 

In his infancy Cortes is said to have had a feeble consti- 
tution, which strengthened as he grew older. At fourteen 
he was sent to Salamanca, as his father, who conceived great 
hopes from his quick and showy parts, proposed to educate 
him for the law, a profession which held out better induce- 10 
ments to the young aspirant than any other. The son, how- 
ever, did not conform to these views. He showed little 
fondness for books, and after loitering away two years at 
college returned home, to the great chagrin of his parents. 
He now passed his days in the idle, unprofitable manner of 15 
one who, too wilful to be guided by others, proposes no 
object to himself. His buoyant spirits were continually 
breaking out in troublesome frolics and capricious humours, 
quite at variance with the orderly habits of his father's 
household. He showed a particular inclination for the 20 
military profession, or rather for the life of adventure to 
which in those days it was sure to lead. And when, at the 
age of seventeen, he proposed to enrol himself under the 
banners of the Great Captain, his parents, probably thinking 
a life of hardship and hazard abroad preferable to one of 25 
idleness at home, made no objection. 



12 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. 

Two years longer he remained at home. At length he 
availed himself of an opportunity presented by the departure 
of a small squadron of vessels bound to the Indian islands. 

30 After a stormy voyage the convoy put safely into port at 
Hispaniola. Cortes was kindly welcomed by the governor, 
to whom he had been previously known in Spain, and 
received a grant of land with a " re2:)artimiento " of Indians. 
Here Cortes remained seven years, occasionally taking part 

35 in the military expeditions for suppressing the insurrection 
of the natives. At length, in 1511, when Velasquez 
undertook the conquest of Cuba, Cortes willingly abandoned 
his quiet life, and took part in the expedition. After the 
reduction of the island he was held in high esteem by 

40 Velasquez, now appointed its governor. These amicable 
relations, however, did not last long, and Cortes joined the 
disaffected party, who were tolerably numerous, in the island. 
He was deputed by the leaders of the party to lay their 
complaints before the higher authorities in Hispaniola. 

45 Velasquez, however, gained knowledge of the scheme, and 
arrested Cortes on the eve of his departure. Twice did 
Cortes make his escape from prison, only to be re-captured. 
At length, through the mediation of friends, a reconciliation 
is brought about, and he is even restored to favour, receiving 

50 large grants of land in the neighbourhood of St. Jago. 
For the next two years he devoted himself to agriculture, 
and by a course of industry amassed a considerable sum of 
money. Such was the state of things when Alvarado 
returned with the tidings of Grijalva's discoveries. Velasquez 

55 resolved to send out a considerable armament, and began to 
look round for a suitable person to share the expenses of it, 
and to take the command. After some hesitation he is 
persuaded by the royal treasurer and his own secretary 
to appoint Cortes, in spite of their former differences. 

60 Cortes had now attained the object of his wishes. And 
from this hour his deportment seemed to undergo a 
change. His thoughts, instead of evaporating in empty 
levities or idle flashes of merriment, were wholly concen- 
trated on the great object to which he was devoted. His 



III.] ARMADA INTEUSTED TO CORTl^S. 13 

elastic spirits were shown in cheering and stimulating the 65 
companions of his toilsome duties, and he was roused to a 
generous enthusiasm, of which even those who knew him 
best had not conceived him capable. He applied at once all 
the money in his possession to fitting out the armament. 
He raised more by the mortgage of his estates, and by giving 70 
his obligations to some wealthy merchants of the place, who 
relied for their reimbursement on the success of the expe- 
dition ; and, when his own credit was exhausted, he availed 
himself of that of his friends. 

The funds thus acquired he expended in the purchase of 75 
vessels, provisions, and military stores, while he invited 
recruits by offers of assistance to such as were too poor to 
provide for themselves, and by the additional promise of a 
liberal share of the anticipated profits. 

All was now bustle and excitement in the little town of 80 
St. Jago. Some were busy in refitting the vessels, and 
getting them ready for the voyage ; some in providing naval 
stores ; others in converting their own estates into money in 
order to equip themselves ; everyone seemed anxious to 
contribute in some way or other to the success of the expe- 85 
dition. Six ships, some of them of a large size, had already 
been procured, and three hundred recruits enrolled them- 
selves in the course of a few days, eager to seek their 
fortunes under the banner of this daring and popular 
chieftain. 90 

The importance given to Cortes by his new position, and, 
perhaps, a somewhat more lofty bearing, gradually gave 
uneasiness to the naturally suspicious temper of Yelasquez, 
who became apprehensive that his officer, when away where 
he would have the power, might also have the inclination, 95 
to throw off his dependence on him altogether. There were 
not wanting persons about his Excellency, who fanned the 
latent embers of jealousy into a blaze, and who wrought on 
the passions of Yelasquez to such a degree that he resolved 
to entrust the expedition to other hands. 100 

Cortes was speedily informed of the change in the governor's 
intentions, and though he had not yet got his complement of 



14 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. 

men, nor of vessels, and was very inadequately provided 
with supplies of any kind, he resolved to weigh anchor that 

105 very night. He waited on his officers, informed them of 
his purpose, and probably of the cause of it; and at 
midnight, when the town was hushed in sleep, they all went 
quietly on board, and the little squadron dropped down the 
bay. First, however, Cortes had visited the person whose 

110 business it was to supply the place with meat, and relieved 
him of all his stock on hand, notwithstanding his complaint 
that the city must suffer for it on the morrow, leaving him, 
at the same time, in payment, a massive gold chain of 
much value, which he wore round his neck. 

115 Great was the amazement of the good citizens of St. Jago, 
when, at dawn, they saw that the fleet, which they knew 
was so ill prepared for the voyage, had left its moorings and 
was busily ' getting under way. The tidings soon came to 
the ears of his Excellency, who, springing from his bed, 

120 hastily dressed himself, mounted his horse, and, followed by 
his retinue, galloped down to the quay. Cortes, as soon as 
he descried their approach, entered an armed boat, and 
came within speaking distance of the shore. " And is it thus 
you part from me!" exclaimed Velasquez; "a courteous 

125 way of taking leave, truly!" "Pardon me," answered 
Cortes, "time presses, and there are some things that 
should be done before they are even thought of. Has your 
Excellency any commands ?" But the mortified governor 
had no commands to give ; and Cortes, politely waving his 

130 hand, returned to his vessel, and the little fleet instantly 
made sail for the port of Macaca, about fifteen leagues 
distant. 

Erom Macaca, where Cortes laid in such stores as he 
could obtain from the royal farms, and which, he said, he 

135 considered as "a loan from the king," he proceeded to 
Trinidad ; a more considerable town, on the southern coast 
of Cuba. Here he landed, and erecting his standard in 
front of his quarters, made proclamation, with liberal offers 
to all who would join the expedition. Volunteers came in 

140 daily, and among them more than a hundred of Grijalva's 



III.] STRENGTH OF HIS AEMAMENT. 15 

men, just returned from their voyage, and willing to follow 
up the discovery under an enterprising leader. 

As Cortes was willing to strengthen himself hy still 
further reinforcements, he ordered Alvarado with a small 
hody of men to march across the country to the Havana, 145 
while he himself would sail round the westerly point of the 
island, and meet him there with the squadron. In this 
port he again displayed his standard, making the usual 
proclamation. 

At last all preparations were made, and on the 10th of 150 
February, 1519, the little squadron got under way, and 
directed its course towards Cape St. Antonio, the appointed 
place of rendezvous.^ When all were brought together, the 
vessels were found to be eleven in number; one of them, 
in which Cortes himself went, was of a hundred tons' i55 
burden, three others were from seventy to eighty tons, the 
remainder were caravels and open brigantines. The whole 
was put under the direction of Antonio de Alamino's, as 
chief pilot ; a veteran navigator, who had acted as pilot to 
Columbus in his last voyage, and to Cordova and Grijalva 160 
in the former expeditions to Yucatan. 

Landing on the Cape and mustering his forces, Cortes 
found they amounted to one hundred and ten mariners, five 
hundred and fifty-three soldiers, including thirty -two cross- 
bow-men, and thirteen arquebusiers, besides two hundred 165 
Indians of the island, and a few Indian women for menial 
of&ces. He was provided with ten heavy guns, four lighter 
pieces called falconets, and with a good supply of ammu- 
nition. He had besides sixteen horses. They were not 
easily procured, for the difficulty of transporting them 170 
across the ocean in the flimsy craft of that day made them 
rare and incredibly dear in the islands. But Cortes right- 
fully estimated the importance of cavalry, however small in 
number, both for their actual service in the field, and for 
striking terror into the savages. With so paltry a force did 175 
he enter on a conquest which even his stout heart must 
have shrunk from attempting with such means had he but 
foreseen half its real difficulties ! 



16 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. 

Before embarking, Cortes addressed his soldiers in a 

180 short but animated harangue. He told them they were 
about to enter on a noble enterprise, one that would make 
their name famous to after ages. He was leading them to 
countries more vast and opulent than any yet visited by 
Europeans. " I hold out to you a glorious prize," continued 

185 the orator, "but it is to be won by incessant toil. Great 
things are achieved only by great exertions, and glory 
was never the reward of sloth. If I have laboured hard 
and staked my all on this undertaking, it is for the 
love of that renown, which is the noblest recompense of 

190 man. But, if any among you covet riches more, be but 
true to me, as I will be true to you and to the occasion, 
and I will make you masters of such as our countrymen 
have never dreamed of. You are few in number, but strong 
in resolution ; and, if this does not falter, doubt not but 

195 that the Almighty, who has never deserted the Spaniard 
in his contest with the infidel, will shield you, though 
encompassed by a cloud of enemies ; for your cause is a just 
cause, and you are to fight under the banner of the cross. 
Go forward then," he concluded, " with alacrity and confi- 

200 dence, and carry to a glorious issue the work so auspiciously 
begun." 

Mass was then celebrated with the solemnities usual with 
the Spanish navigators when entering on their voyages 
of discovery. The fleet was placed under the immediate 

205 protection of St. Peter, the patron saint of Cortes ; and 
weighing anchor took its departure for the coast of Yucatan. 



CHAPTER lY. 

VOYAGE TO COZUMEL — CONVERSION OF THE NATIVES— JEKONIMO DE 
AGIJILAR — ARMY ARRIVES AT TABASCO — GREAT BATTLE WITH THE 
INDIANS — CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED. 

1519. 

ORDERS were given for the vessels to keep as near 
together as possible, and to take the direction of the 
eapitana, or admiral's ship, which carried a beacon light 
in the stern during the night. But the weather, which had 
been favourable, changed soon after their departure, and one 5 
of those tempests set in, which at this season are often 
found in the latitudes of the West Indies. It fell with 
terrible force on the little navy, scattering it far asunder, 
•dismantling some of the ships, and driving them all con- 
siderably south of their proposed destination. 10 

Cortes, who had lingered behind to convoy a disabled 
vessel, reached the island of Gozumel last. 

His first object was to gather tidings of some unfortunate 
Christians who were reported to be still lingering in captivity 
<on the neighbouring continent. From some traders in the 15 
islands he obtained such a confirmation of the report, that 
lie sent Diego de Ordaz with two brigantines to the opposite 
■coast of Yucatan, with instructions to remain there eight 
•days. Some Indians went as messengers in the vessels, 
who consented to bear a letter to the captives, informing 20 
them of the arrival of their countrymen in Cozumel, with a 
liberal ransom for their release. Meanwhile the general 
proposed to make an excursion to the different parts of the 
island, that he might give employment to the restless spirits . 
oi the soldiers, and ascertain the resources of the country. 26 

It was poor and thinly peopled. Bat everywhere he 



18 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iV. 

recognized the vestiges of a higher civilization than what 
he had before witnessed in the Indian islands. The houses 
were some of them large, and often built of stone and lime. 

30 He was particularly struck with the temples, in which were 
towers constructed of the same solid materials, and rising 
several stories in height. 

In the court of one of these he was amazed by the sight 
of a cross of stone and lime, about ten palms high. It was 

85 the emblem of the god of rain. Its appearance suggested 
the wildest conjectures, not merely to the unlettered soldiers, 
but subsequently to the European scholar, who speculated 
on the character of the races that had introduced there the 
sacred symbol of Christianity. But no such inference could 

40 be warranted. Yet it must be regarded as a curious fact, 

that the cross should have been venerated as the object of 

religious worship both in the New World, and in regions of 

the Old, where the light of Christianity had never risen. 

The next object of Cortes was to reclaim the natives from 

45 their gross idolatry, and to substitute a purer form of worship. 
In accomplishing this he was prepared to use force, if milder 
measures should be ineffectual. 

He endeavoured to persuade them to embrace a better faith, 
through the agency of two ecclesiastics who attended the 

50 expedition — the licentiate Juan Diaz and father Bartolom^ 
de Olmedo. The latter of these godly men afforded the 
rare example — rare in any age — of the union of fervent zeal 
with charity, while he beautifully illustrated in his own 
conduct the precepts which he taught. He remained with 

55 the army through the whole expedition, and by his wise and 
benevolent counsels was often enabled to mitigate the cruelties 
of the Conquerors. 

These two missionaries vainly laboured to persuade the 
people of Cozumel to renounce their abominations, and to. 

60 allow the Indian idols, in which the Christians recognised 
the true lineaments of Satan, to be thrown down and 
demolished. The simple natives, filled with horror at the 
proposed profanation, exclaimed that these were the gods 
who sent them the sunshine and the storm, and, should any 



IV.] CONVERSION OF THE NATIVES. 19 

violence be offered, they would be sure to avenge it by 65 
sending their lightnings on the heads of its perpetrators, 

Cortes was probably not much of a polemic. At all 
events, he preferred on the present occasion action to argu- 
ment, and thought that the best way to convince the Indians 
of their error was to prove the falsehood of the prediction. 70 
He accordingly, without further ceremony, caused the vene- 
rated images to be rolled down the stairs of the great temple, 
amidst the groans and lamentations of the natives. An altar 
was hastily constructed, an image of the Virgin and Child 
placed over it, and mass was performed by Father Olmedo 75 
and his reverend companion for the first time within the 
walls of a temple in New Spain. 

While Cortes was thus occupied with the triumphs of the 
Cross, he received intelligence that Ordaz had returned from 
Yucatan without tidings of the Spanish captives. Though 80 
much chagrined, the general did not choose to postpone 
longer his departure from Cozumel. The fleet had been 
well stored with provisions by the friendly inhabitants, and, 
embarking his troops, Cortes, in the beginning of March, 
took leave of its hospitable shores. The squadron had not 85 
proceeded far, however, before a leak in one of the vessels 
compelled them to return to the same port. 

Soon after landing, a canoe with several Indians was 
seen making its way from the neighbouring shores of 
Yucatan. On reaching the island, one of the men inquired, 90 
in broken Castilian, "if he were among Christians " ; and, 
being answered in the affirmative, threw himself on his 
knees and returned thanks to heaven for his delivery. He 
was one of the unfortunate captives for whose fate so much 
interest had been felt. His name was Jeronimo de Aguilar, 95 
a native of Ecija, in Old Spain, where he had been regularly 
educated for the church. 

On appearing before Cortes, the poor man saluted him 
in the Indian style, by touching the earth with his hand, 
and carrying it to his head. The commander, raising him 100 
up, affectionately embraced him, covering him at the same 
time with his own cloak, as Aguilar was simply clad in the 



20 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iV. 

habiliments of the country, somewhat too scanty for a 
European eye. Aguilar's long residence in the country had 

105 familiarised him with the Mayan dialects of Yucatan, and, 
as he gradually revived his Castilian, he became of essential 
importance as an interpreter. 

The repairs of the vessels being at length completed, the 
Spanish commander once more took leave of the friendly 

110 natives of Cozumel, and set sail on the 4th of March. 
Keeping as near as possible to the coast of Yucatan, he 
doubled Cape Catoche, and soon after reached the mouth 
of the Bio de Tabasco, or Grijalva, in which that navigator 
had carried on so lucrative a traffic. Though mindful of 

115 the great object of his voyage — the visit to the Aztec terri- 
tories — he was desirous of acquainting himself with the 
resources of this country, and determined to ascend the 
river and visit the great town on its borders. 

The water was so shallow, from the accumulation of sand 

120 at the mouth of the stream, that the general was obliged to 
leave the ships at anchor, and to embark in the boats with 
a part only of his forces. The banks were thickly studded 
with mangrove trees, that, with their roots shooting up and 
interlacing one another, formed a kind of impervious screen 

125 or net-work, behind which the dark forms of the natives 
were seen glancing to and fro with the most menacing looks 
and gestures. Cortes, much surprised at these unfriendly 
demonstrations, so unlike what he had had reason to expect, 
moved cautiously up the stream. When he had reached an 

130 open place, where a large number of Indians were assembled, 
he asked, through his interpreter, leave to land, explaining 
at the same time his amicable intentions. But the Indians, 
brandishing their weapons, answered only with gestures of 
angry defiance. Though much chagrined, Cortes thought it 

135 best not to urge the matter further that evening, but withdrew 
to a neighbouring island, where he disembarked his troops, 
resolved to effect a landing on the following morning. 

When day broke, the Spaniards saw the opposite banks 
lined with a much more numerous array than on the pre- 

140 ceding evening, while the canoes along the shore were filled 



IV.] ARMY ARRIVES AT TABASCO. 21 

with bands of armed warriors. Cortes now made his pre- 
parations for the attack. He first landed a detachment of 
a hundred men under Alonso de Avila, at a point somewhat 
lower down the stream, sheltered by a thick grove of palms, 
from which a road, as he knew, led to the town of Tabasco, 145 
giving orders to his officer to march at once on the place, 
while he himself advanced to assault it in front. 

Then embarking the remainder of his troops, Cortes 
crossed the river in face of the enemy ; but, before com- 
mencing hostilities, that he might "act with entire regard 150 
to justice, and in obedience to the instructions of the Royal 
Council," he first caused proclamation to be made through 
the interpreter, that he desired only a free passage for his 
men ; and that he proposed to revive the friendly relations 
which had formerly subsisted between his countrymen and 155 
the natives. He assured them that if blood were spilt, the 
sin would lie on their heads, and that resistance would be 
useless, since he was resolved at all hazards to take up his 
quarters that night in the town of Tabasco. This procla- 
mation, delivered in lofty tone, and duly recorded by the 160 
notary, was answered by the Indians — who might possibly 
have comprehended one word in ten of it — with shouts of 
defiance and a shower of arrows. 

Cortes, having now complied with all the requisitions of 
a loyal cavalier, and shifted the responsibility from his own 165 
shoulders to those of the Royal Council, brought his boats 
alongside of the Indian canoes. They grappled fiercely 
together, and both parties were soon in the water, which 
rose above the girdle. The struggle was not long, though 
desperate. The superior strength of the Europeans prevailed, 170 
and they forced the enemy back to land. Here, however, 
they were supported by their countrymen, who showered 
down darts, arrows, and blazing billets of wood on the heads 
of the invaders. The banks were soft and slippery, and it was 
with difficulty the soldiers made good their footing. Cortes 175 
lost a sandal in the mud, but continued to fight barefoot, with 
great exposure of his person, as the Indians, who soon singled 
out the leader, called to one another, "Strike at the chief I" 



22 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iV. 

At length the Spaniards gained the bank, and were able 

180 to come into something like order, when they opened a 
brisk fire from their arquebuses and crossbows. The enemy, 
astounded by the roar and flash of the firearms, of which 
they had had no experience, fell back, and retreated behind 
a breastwork of timber thrown across the way. The 

185 Spaniards, hot in the pursuit, soon carried these rude 
defences, and drove the Tabascans before them towards the 
town, where they again took shelter behind their palisades. 

Meanwhile Avila had arrived from the opposite quarter, 
and the natives taken by surprise made no further attempt 

190 at resistance, but abandoned the place to the Christians. 
They had previously removed their families and efi'ects. 
Some provisions fell into the hands of the victors, but little 
gold, "a circumstance," says Las Casas, "which gave them 
no particular satisfaction." It was a very populous place. 

195 The houses were mostly of mud ; the better sort of stone 
and lime ; affording proofs in the inhabitants of a superior 
refinement to that found in the islands, as their stout resist- 
ance had given evidence of superior valour, 

Cortes, having thus made himself master of the town, 

200 took formal possession of it for the crown of Castile. He 
gave three cuts with his sword on a large ceiha tree, which 
grew in the place, and proclaimed aloud, that he took 
possession of the city in the name and behalf of the Catholic 
sovereigns, and would maintain and defend the same with 

205 sword and buckler against all who should gainsay it. The 
same vaunting declaration was also made by the soldiers, 
and the whole was duly recorded and attested by the notary. 
This was the usual simple but chivalric form, with w^hich 
the Spanish cavaliers asserted the royal title to the conquered 

210 territories in the New World. It was a good title, doubtless, 
against the claims of any other European potentate. 

The general took up his quarters that night in the courtyard 
of the principal temple. He posted his sentinels, and took 
all the precautions practised in wars with a civilised foe. 

215 On the following morning, as no traces of the enemy were 
visible, Cortes ordered out a detachment under Alvarado, 



rV.] GKEAT BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS. 23 

and another under Francisco de Lnjo, to reconnoitre. The 
latter officer had not advanced a league before he learned 
the position of the Indians, by their attacking him in such 
force that he was fain to take shelter in a large stone build- 220 
ing, where he was closely besieged. Fortunately the loud 
yells of the assailants, like most barbarous nations, seeking 
to strike terror by their ferocious cries, reached the ears of 
Alvarado and his men, who, speedily advancing to the relief 
of their comrades, enabled them to force a passage through 225 
the enemy. Both parties retreated, closely pursued, on the 
town, when Cortes, marching out to their support, compelled 
the Tabascans to retire. 

A few prisoners were taken in this skirmish. By them 
Cortes found his worst apprehensions verified. The country 230 
was everywhere in arms. A force consisting of many thou- 
sands had assembled from the neighbouring provinces, and 
a general assault was resolved on for the next day. To the 
general's inquiries why he had been received in so different 
a manner from his predecessor, Grijalva, they answered, that 235 
" the conduct of the Tabascans then had given great offence 
to the other Indian tribes, who taxed them with treachery 
and cowardice ; so that they had promised, on any return of 
the white men, to resist them in the same manner as their 
neighbours had done." 240 

On hearing this he sent back to the vessels such as were 
disabled by their wounds, and ordered the remainder of the 
forces to join the camp. Six of the heavy guns were also 
taken from the ships, together with all the horses. The 
animals were stiff and torpid from long confinement on 245 
board; but a few hours' exercise restored them to their 
strength and usual spirit. He gave the command of the 
artillery — if it may be dignified with the name — to a soldier 
named Mesa, who had acquired some experience as an 
engineer in the Italian wars. The infantry he put under 250 
the orders of Diego de Ordaz, and took charge of the cavalry 
himself. It consisted of some of the most valiant gentlemen 
of his little band, among whom may be mentioned Alvarado, 
Velasquez de Leon, Avila, Olid, Montejo. Having thus 



24 CONQUEST Oi' MEXICO. [iV. 

255 made all the necessary arrangements, and settled his plan of 
battle, he retired to rest. 

At the first glimmering of light he mustered his army, 
and declared his purpose not to abide, cooped up in the 
town, the assault of the enemy, but to march at once against 

260 him. The Indians were understood to be encamped on a 
level ground a few miles distant from the city, called the 
plain of Ceutla. The general commanded that Ordaz should 
march with the foot, including the artillery, directly across 
the country, and attack them in front, while he himself 

265 would fetch a circuit with the horse, and turn their flank 
when thus engaged, or fall upon their rear. 

These dispositions being completed, the little army heard 
mass, and then sallied forth from the wooden walls of 
Tabasco. It was Lady- day, the 25th of March, long 

270 memorable in the annals of 'New Spain. The district 
around the town was chequered with patches of maize, and, 
on the lower level, with plantations of cacao. These plan- 
tations, requiring constant irrigation, were fed by numerous 
canals and reservoirs of water, so that the country could not 

275 be traversed without great toil and difficulty. It was, how- 
ever, intersected by a narrow path or causeway, over which 
the cannon could be dragged. 

The troops advanced more than a league on their laborious 
march without descrying the enemy. The weather was 

280 sultry, but few of them were embarrassed by the heavy 
mail worn by the European cavaliers at that period. Their 
cotton jackets, thickly quilted, afforded a tolerable protection 
against the arrows of the Indian, and allowed room for the 
freedom and activity of movement essential to a life of 

285 rambling adventure in the wilderness. 

At length they came in sight of the broad plains of Ceutla, 
and beheld the dusky lines of the enemy stretching, as far 
as the eye could reach, along the edge of the horizon. The 
Indians had shown some sagacity in the choice of their 

290 position, and as the weary Spaniards came slowly on, 
floundering through the morass, the Tabascans set up their 
hideous battle-cries, and discharged volleys of arrows, stones, 



IV.] GREAT BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS. 25 

and other missiles, which rattled like hail on the shields and 
helmets of the assailants. Many were severely wounded 
before they could gain the firm ground, where they soon 295 
cleared a space for themselves, and opened a heavy fire of 
artillery and musketry on the dense columns of the enemy, 
which presented a fatal mark for the balls. ISTumbers were 
swept down at every discharge ; but the bold barbarians, far 
from being dismayed, threw up dust and leaves to hide their 300 
losses, and, sounding their war instruments, shot off fresh 
flights of arrows in return. 

They even pressed closer on the Spaniards, and when 
driven off by a vigorous charge, soon turned again, and, 
rolling back like the waves of the ocean, seemed ready to 305 
overwhelm the little band by weight of numbers. Thus 
cramped, the latter had scarcely room to perform their 
necessary evolutions, or even to work their guns with effect. 

The engagement had now lasted more than an hour, and 
the Spaniards, sorely pressed, looked with great anxiety for 310 
the arrival of the horse — which some unaccountable impedi- 
ments must have detained — to relieve them from their 
perilous position. At this crisis the furthest columns of the 
Indian army were seen to be agitated and thrown into a 
disorder that rapidly spread through the whole mass. It 315 
was not long before 'the ears of the Christians were saluted 
with the cheering war-cry of " San Jago and San Pedro," 
and they beheld the bright helmets and swords of the 
Castilian chivalry flashing back the rays of the morning 
sun as they dashed through the ranks of the enemy, striking 320 
to the right and left, and scattering dismay around them. 

The approach of Cortes had been greatly retarded by the 
broken nature of the ground. When he came up the 
Indians were so hotly engaged that he was upon them 
before they observed his approach. He ordered his meii 325 
to direct their lances at the faces of their opponents, who, 
terrified at the monstrous apparition — for they supposed the 
rider and the horse, which they had never before seen, to 
be one and the same — were seized with a panic. Ordaz 
availed himself of it to command a general charge along 330 



M COKQUEST OF MEXICO. [iV. 

the line, and the Indians, many of them throwing away 
their arms, fled without attempting further resistance. 

Cortes was too content with the victory to care to follow 
it up by dipping his sword in the blood of the fugitives. He 

335 drew off his men to a copse of palms which skirted the place, 
and under their broad canopy the soldiers offered up thanks- 
givings to the Almighty for the victory vouchsafed them. The 
field of battle was made the site of a town, called, in honour 
of the day on which the action took place, Santa Maria de 

340 la Viforia, long afterwards the capital of the province. 

Several prisojiers were taken in the battle, among them 
two chiefs. Cortes gave them their liberty, and sent a 
message by them to their countrymen, " that he would 
overlook the past, if they would come in at once, and 

345 tender their submission. Otherwise he would ride over the 
land, and put every living thing in it — man, woman, and 
child — to the sword ! " With this formidable menace 
ringing in their ears the envoys departed. 

But the Tabascans had no relish for further hostilities. 

350 A body of inferior chiefs appeared the next day, clad in 
dark dresses of cotton, intimating their abject condition, and 
implored leave to bury their dead. It was granted by the 
general, with many assurances of his friendly disposition ; 
but at the same time he told them' he expected their 

355 principal caciques, as he would treat with none other. 
These soon presented themselves, attended by a numerous 
train of vassals, who followed with timid curiosity to the 
Christian camp. Among their propitiatory gifts were twenty 
female slaves, which, from the character of one of them, 

360 proved of infinitely more consequence than was anticipated 
by either Spaniards or Tabascans. Confidence was soon 
restored, and was succeeded by a friendly intercourse, and 
the interchange of Spanish toys for the rude commodities 
of the country, articles of food, cotton, and a few gold 

365 ornaments of little value. When asked where the precious 
metal was procured, they pointed to the west and answered, 
" Culhua,- Mexico." The Spaniards saw this was no place 
for them to traffic, or to tarry in. 



IV.] CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED. 27 

Before his departure the Spanish commander did not 
omit to provide for one great object of his expedition — the 370 
conversion of the Indians. He first represented to the 
caciques that he had been sent thither by a powerful 
monarch on the other side of the water, to whom he had 
now a right to claim their allegiance. He then caused the 
reverend Fathers Olmedo and Diaz to enlighten their minds, 375 
as far as possible, in regard to the great truths of revelation, 
urging them to receive these in place of their own heathenish 
abominations. The Tabascans, whose perceptions were no 
doubt materially quickened by the discipline they had 
undergone, made but a faint resistance to either proposal. 380 
The next day was Palm Sunday, and the general resolved 
to celebrate their conversion by one of those pompous 
ceremonials of the Church, which should make a lasting 
impression on their minds. 

A solemn procession was formed of the whole army, with 385 
the ecclesiastics at their head, each soldier bearing a palm- 
branch in his hand. The concourse was swelled by thousands 
of Indians of both sexes, who followed in curious astonish- 
ment at the spectacle. The long files bent their way 
through the flowery savannas that bordered the settlement 390 
to the principal temple, where an altar was raised, and the 
image of the presiding deity was deposed to make room for 
that of the Virgin with the infant Saviour. Mass was 
celebrated by Father Olmedo, and the soldiers who were 
capable joined in the solemn chant. 395 

These solemnities concluded, Cortes prepared to return 
to his ships, well satisfied with the impression made on the 
new converts, and with the conquests he had thus achieved 
for Castile and Christianity. The soldiers, taking leave of 
their Indian friends, entered the boats with the palm- 400 
branches in their hands, and descending the river re- 
embarked on board their vessels, which rode at anchor at 
its mouth. A favourable breeze was blowing, and the little 
navy, opening its sails to receive it, was soon on its way 
figain to the golden shores of Mexico. 



CHAPTER Y. 

VOYAGE ALONG THE COAST — DONA MARINA — SPANIARDS LAND IN 
MEXICO — INTERVIEW WITH THE AZTECS — EMBASSY AND PRES- 
ENTS — SPANISH ENCAMPMENT. 

1519. 

THE fleet held its course so near the shore that the 
inhabitants could be seen on it ; and as it swept along 
the winding borders of the gulf, the soldiers, who had been 
on the former expedition with Grijalva, pointed out to their 
6 companions the memorable places on the coast. Here was 
the Rio de Alvarado, named after the gallant adventurer, 
who was present also in this expedition ; there the Rio de 
Vanderas, in which Grijalva had carried on so lucrative a 
commerce with the Mexicans; and there the Isla de los 

10 SacrificioSj where the Spaniards first saw the vestiges of 
human sacrifice on the coast. 

The fleet had now arrived off" St. Juan de Ulua, the island 
so named by Grijalva. The weather was temperate and 
serene, and crowds of natives were gathered on the shore of 

15 the main land, gazing at the strange phenomenon, as the 
vessels glided along under easy sail on the smooth bosom of 
the waters. It was the evening of Thursday in Passion 
Week. The air came pleasantly ofl" the shore, and Cortes, 
liking the spot, thought he might safely anchor under the 

20 lee of the island, which would shelter him from the nortes 
that sweep over these seas with fatal violence in the winter, 
sometimes even late in the spring. 

The ships had not been long at anchor, when a light 
pirogue, filled with natives, shot off" from the neighbouring 

25 continent, and steered for the general's vessel, distinguished 
by the royal ensign of Castile floating from the mast. The 



v.] DONA MAEINA. 29 

Indians came on board with a frank confidence, inspired by 
the accounts of the Spaniards spread by their countrymen* 
who had traded with Grijalva. They brought presents of 
fruits and flowers and little ornaments of gold, which they 30 
gladly exchanged for the usual trinkets. Cortes was baffled 
in his attempts to hold a conversation with his visitors by 
means of the interpreter, Aguilar, who was ignorant of the 
language; the Mayan dialects, with whom he was conver- 
sant, bearing too little resemblance to the Aztec. The 35 
natives supplied the deficiency, as far as possible, by the 
uncommon vivacity and significance of their gestures, but 
the Spanish commander saw with chagrin the embarrassments 
he must encounter in future for want of a more perfect 
medium of communication. In this dilemma, he was 40 
informed that one of the female slaves given to him by the 
Tabascan chiefs was a native Mexican, and understood the 
language. Her name — that given to her by the Spaniards — 
was Marina; and, as she was to exercise a most important 
influence on their fortunes, it is necessary to acquaint the 45 
reader with something of her character and history. 

She was born at Painalla, on the south-eastern borders 
of the Mexican empire. Her father, a rich and powerful 
cacique, died when she was very young. Her mother 
married again, and, having a son, she conceived the infamous 50 
idea of securing to this off'spring of her second union 
Marina's rightful inheritance. She accordingly feigned that 
the latter was dead, but secretly delivered her into the hands 
of some itinerant traders. By the merchants the Indian 
maiden was again sold to the cacique of Tabasco. 55 

From the place of her birth she was well acquainted with 
the Mexican tongue, which, indeed, she is said to have 
spoken with great elegance. Her residence in Tabasco 
familiarised her with the dialects of that country, so that 
she could carry on a conversation with Aguilar, which he in 60 
turn rendered into the Castilian. Thus a certain, though 
somewhat circuitous channel was opened to Cortes for com- 
municating with the Aztecs. It was not very long, however, 
before Marina, who had a lively genius, made herself so far 



30 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [V. 

65 mistress of tlie Castilian as to supersede the necessity of 
any other linguist. 

With the aid of his two intelligent interpreters, Cortes 
entered into conversation with his Indian visitors. He 
learned that they were Mexicans, or rather subjects of 

70 the great Mexican empire, of which their own province 
formed one of the comparatively recent conquests. The 
country was ruled by a powerful monarch, Montezuma, who 
dwelt on the mountain plains of the interior, nearly seventy 
leagues from the coast ; their own province was governed 

75 by one of his nobles, named Teuhtlile, whose residence was 
eight leagues distant. Cortes acquainted them in turn with 
his own friendly views in visiting their country, and with 
his desire of an interview with the Aztec governor. He 
then dismissed them loaded with presents, having first 

80 ascertained that there was abundance of gold in the interior, 
like the specimens they had brought. 

Cortes, pleased with the manners of the people, and the 
goodly reports of the land, resolved to take up his quarters 
here for the present. The next morning, April 21, being 

85 Good Friday, he landed with all his force on the very spot 
where now stands the modern city of Yera Cruz. Little did 
the Conqueror imagine that the desolate beach, on which he 
first planted his foot, was one day to be covered by a 
flourishing city, the great mart of European and Oriental 

90 trade, the commercial capital of ISfew Spain. 

It was a wide and level plain, except where the sand had 
been drifted into hillocks by the perpetual blowing of the 
noi'te. On these sand-hills he mounted his little battery of 
guns, so as to give him the command of the country. He 

95 then employed the troops in cutting down small trees and 
bushes which grew near, in order to provide a shelter from 
the weather. In this he was aided by the people of the 
country, sent, as it appeared, by the governor of the district, 
to assist the Spaniards. With their help stakes were firmly 

100 set in the earth, and covered with boughs, and with mats 
and cotton carpets, which the friendly natives brought with 
them. In this way they secured, in a couple of days, a good 



v.] INTERVIEW WITH THE AZTECS. 31 

defence against the scorching rays of the sun, whicTi beat 
with intolerable fierceness on the sands. The place was 
surrounded by stagnant marshes, the exhalations from which, 105 
quickened by the heat into the pestilent malaria, have 
occasioned in later times wider mortality to Europeans 
than all the hurricanes on the coast. The bilious disorders, 
now the terrible scourge of the tierra caliente, were little 
known before the Conquest. The seeds of the poison seem 110 
to have been scattered by the hand of civilisation ; for it is 
only necessary to settle a town, and draw together a busy 
European population, in order to call out the malignity of 
the venom which had before lurked innoxious in the 
atmosphere. 120 

While these arrangements were in progress, the natives 
flocked in from the adjacent district, which was tolerably 
populous in the interior, drawn by a natural curiosity to see 
the wonderful strangers. They brought with them fruits, 
vegetables, flowers in abundance, game, and many dishes 125 
cooked after the fashion of the country, with little articles 
of gold and other ornaments. They gave away some as 
presents, and bartered others for the wares of the Spaniards; 
so that the camp, crowded with a motley throng of every 
age, and sex, wore the appearance of a fair. From some of 130 
the visitors Cortes learned the intention of the governor to 
wait on him the following day. 

This was Easter. Teuhtlile arrived, as he had announcea, 
before noon. He was attended by a numerous train, and 
was met by Cortes, who conducted him with much ceremony 135 
to his tent, where his principal officers were assembled. The 
Aztec chief returned their salutations with polite, though 
formal courtesy. Mass was first said by Father Olmedo, and 
the service was listened to by Teuhtlile and his attendants 
with decent reverence. A collation was afterwards served, 140 
at which the general entertained his guest with Spanish 
wines and confections. The interpreters were then intro- 
duced, and a conversation commenced between the parties. 

The first inquiries of Teuhtlile were respecting the country 
of the strangerSj and the purport of their visit. Cortes told U5 



32 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [V. 

him, that "he was the subject of a potent monarch beyond 
the seas, who ruled over an immense empire, and had kings 
and princes for his vassals ! that, acquainted with the great- 
ness of the Mexican emperor, his master had desired to 

150 enter into a communication with him, and had sent him as 
his envoy to wait on Montezuma with a present in token 
of his good will, and a message which he must deliver in 
person." He concluded by inquiring of Teuhtlile when he 
could be admitted to his sovereign's presence. 

155 To this the Aztec noble somewhat haughtily replied, 

" How is it, that you have been here only two days, and 
demand to see the emperor?" He then added, with more 
courtesy, that " he was surprised to learn there was another 
monarch as powerful as Montezuma ; but that if it were so, 

160 he had no doubt his master would be happy to communicate 
with him. He would send his couriers with the royal gift 
brought by the Spanish commander, and, so soon as he had 
learned Montezuma's will, would communicate it." 

Teuhtlile then commanded his slaves to bring forward the 

165 present intended for the Spanish general. It consisted of 
ten loads of fine cottons, several mantles of that curious 
featherwork whose rich and delicate dyes might vie with 
the most beautiful painting, and a wicker basket filled with 
ornaments of wrought gold, all calculated to inspire tlie 

170 Spaniards with high ideas of the wealth and mechanical 
ingenuity of the Mexicans. 

Cortes received these presents with suitable acknowledg- 
ments, and ordered his own attendants to lay before the 
chief the articles designed for Montezuma. These were an 

175 arm-chair richly carved and painted, a crimson cap of cloth, 
having a gold medal emblazoned with St. George and the 
dragon, and a quantity of collars, bracelets, and other orna- 
ments of cut glass, which, in a country where glass was not 
to be had, might claim to have the value of real gems, and 

180 no doubt passed for such with the inexperienced Mexican. 
Teuhtlile observed a soldier in the camp with a shining gilt 
helmet on his head, which he said reminded him of one 
worii b^ the god Quetzalcoatl in Mexico j and be showed a, 



v.] INTERVIEW WITH THE AZTECS. 33 

desire that Montezuma should see it. Cortes expressed his 
willingness that the casque should be sent to the emperor, 185 
intimating a hope that it would be returned filled with the 
gold dust of the country, that he might be able to compare its 
quality with that in his own ! He further told the governor, 
as we are informed by his chaplain, "that the Spaniards 
were troubled with a disease of the heart, for which gold 190 
was a specific remedy!" "In short," says Las Casas, "he 
contrived to make his want of gold very clear to the 
governor." 

"While these things were passing, Cortes observed one of 
Teuhtlile's attendants busy with a pencil, apparently de- 195 
lineating some object. On looking at his work, he found 
that it was a sketch on canvas of the Spaniards, their 
costumes, arms, and, in short, difi'erent objects of interest, 
giving to each its appropriate form and colour. This was 
the celebrated picture-writing of the Aztecs, and, as Teuhtlile 200 
informed him, this man was employed in portraying the 
various objects for the eye of Montezuma, who would thus 
gather a more vivid notion of their appearance than from 
any description by words. Cortes was pleased with the 
idea ; and as he knew how much the effect would be 205 
heightened by converting still life into action, he ordered 
out the cavalry on the beach, the wet sands of which afforded 
a firm footing for the horses. The bold and rapid move- 
ments of the troops as they went through their military 
exercises, the apparent ease with which they managed the 210 
fiery animals on which they were mounted, the glancing of 
their weapons, and the shrill cry of the trumpet, all filled 
the spectators with astonishment ; but when they heard the 
thunders of the cannon, which Cortes ordered to be fired at 
the same time, and witnessed the volumes of smoke and 215 
flame issuing from these terrible engines, and the rushing 
sound of the balls as they dashed through the trees of the 
neighbouring forest, shivering their branches into fragments, 
they were filled with consternation, from which the Aztec 
chief himself was not wholly free. 220 

i^fothing of all this was lost on the painters, who faithfully 

3 



34 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [V. 

recorded after their fashion every particular, not omitting 
the ships — " the water-houses," as they called them, of the 
strangers — which, with their dark hulls and snow-white 

225 sails reflected from the water, were swinging lazily at anchor 
on the calm bosom of the bay. All was depicted with a 
fidelity that excited in their turn the admiration of the 
Spaniards, who, doubtless unprepared for this exhibition of 
skill, greatly over-estimated the merits of the execution. 

230 These various matters completed, Teuhtlile with his 
attendants withdrew from the Spanish quarters, with the 
same ceremony with which he had entered them, leaving 
orders that his people should supply the troops with pro 
visions and other articles requisite for their accommodation, 

235 till further instructions from the capital. 

At the expiration of seven, or eight days at most, the 
Mexican embassy presented itself before the camp. It may 
seem an incredibly short space of time, considering the 
distance of the capital was near seventy leagues. But it 

240 may be remembered that tidings were carried there by 
means of posts, in the brief space of four -and -twenty 
hours; and four or five days would suffice for the descent 
of the envoys to the coast, accustomed as the Mexicans 
were to long and rapid travelling. 

245 The embassy, consisting of two Aztec nobles, was accom- 
panied by the governor, Teuhtlile, and by a hundred slaves, 
bearing the princely gifts of Montezuma. One of the 
envoys had been selected on account of the great resem- 
blance which, as appeared from the painting representing 

250 the camp, he bore to the Spanish commander. And it 
is a proof of the fidelity of the painting, that the soldiers 
recognised the resemblance, and always distinguished the 
chief by the name of the " Mexican Cortes." 

On entering the general's pavilion, the ambassadors saluted 

255 him and his officers with the usual signs of reverence to 
persons of great consideration, touching the ground with 
their hands and then carrying them to their heads, while 
the air was filled with clouds of incense, which rose up from 
the censers borne by their attendants. Some delicately- 



v.] EMBASSY AND PEESENTS. 35 

wrought mats of the country (petates) were then unrolled, 260 
and on them the slaves displayed the various articles they 
had brought. They were of the most miscellaneous kind; 
shields, helmets, cuirasses, embossed with plates and orna- 
ments of pure gold; collars and bracelets of the same 
metal, sandals, fans, panaches and crests of variegated 265 
feathers, intermingled with gold and silver thread, and 
sprinkled with pearls and precious stones; imitations of 
birds and animals in wrought and cast gold and silver, of 
exquisite workmanship; curtains, coverlets, and robes of 
cotton, fine as silk, of rich and various dyes, interwoven 270 
with feather work that rivalled the delicacy of painting. 
There were more than thirty loads of cotton cloth in addi- 
tion. Among the articles was the Spanish helmet sent to 
the capital, and now returned filled to the brim with grains 
of gold. But the things which excited the most admiration 276 
were two circular plates of gold and silver, "as large as 
carriage- wheels." One, representing the sun, was richly 
carved with plants and animals — no doubt, denoting the 
Aztec century. It was thirty palms in circumference, and 
was valued at twenty thousand pesos de oro. The silver 280 
wheel, of the same size, weighed fifty marks. 

The Spaniards could not conceal their rapture at the 
exhibition of treasures which so far surpassed all the dreams 
in which they had indulged. For, rich as were the materials, 
they were exceeded — according to the testimony of those 285 
who saw these articles afterwards in Seville, where they 
could coolly examine them — by the beauty and richness of 
the workmanship. 

When Cortes and his officers had completed their survey, 
the ambassadors courteously delivered the message of Monte- 290 
zuma. "It gave their master great pleasure," they said, 
"to hold this communication with so powerful a monarch 
as the King of Spain, for whom he felt the most profound 
respect. He regretted much that he could not enjoy a 
personal interview with the Spaniards, but the distance of 295 
his capital was too great; since the journey was beset with 
difficulties, and -w^ith too many dangers from formidable 



S6 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [V. 

enemies, to make it possible. All that could be done, there- 
fore, was for the strangers to return to their own land, with 

800 the proofs thus afforded them of his friendly disposition." 

Cortes, though much chagrined at this decided refusal of 
Montezuma to admit his visit, concealed his mortification 
as he best might, and politely expressed his sense of the 
emperor's munificence. "It made him only the more 

805 desirous," he said, " to have a personal interview with 
him. He should feel it, indeed, impossible to present him- 
self again before his own sovereign, without having accom- 
plished this great object of his voyage; and one, who had 
sailed over two thousand leagues of ocean, held lightly the 

310 perils and fatigues of so short a journey by land." He 
once more requested them to become the bearers of hia 
message to their master, together with a slight additional 
token of his respect. 

This consisted of a few fine Holland shirts, a Florentine 

315 goblet, gilt and somewhat curiously enamelled, with some 
toys of little value — a sorry return for the solid magni- 
ficence of the royal present. The ambassadors may have 
thought as much. .At least, they showed no alacrity in 
charging themselves either with the present or the mes- 

320 sage ; and, on quitting the Castilian quarters, repeated 
their assurance that the general's application would be 
unavaihng. 

Meanwhile the soldiers suffered greatly from the incon- 
veniences of their position amidst burning sands and the 

325 pestilent effluvia of the neighbouring marshes, while the 
venomous insects of these hot regions left them no repose, 
day or night. Thirty of their number had already sickened 
and died ; a loss that could ill be afforded by the little band. 
To add to their troubles, the coldness of the Mexican chiefs 

330 had extended to their followers ; and the supplies for the 
camp were not only much diminished, but the prices set on 
them were exorbitant. The position was equally unfavour- 
able for shipping, which lay in an open roadstead, exposed 
to the fury of the first norte wluch should sweep the 

835 Mexican Gulf. 



v.] SPANISH ENCAMPMENT. 37 

The general was induced by these circumstances to 
despatch two vessels, under Francisco de Montejo, to explore 
the coast in a northerly direction, and see if a safer port and 
more commodious quarters for the army could not be found 
there. 340 

After the lapse of ten days the Mexican envoys returned. 
They entered the Spanish quarters with the same formality as 
on the former visit, bearing with them an additional present 
of rich stuffs and metallic ornaments, which, though inferior 
in value to those before brought, were estimated at three 345 
thousand ounces of gold. Besides these, there were four 
precious stones of a considerable size, resembling emeralds, 
called by the natives chalchuites^ each of which, as they 
assured the Spaniards, was worth more than a load of gold, 
and was designed as a mark of particular respect for the 350 
Spanish monarch. Unfortunately they were not worth as 
many loads of earth in Europe. 

Montezuma's answer was in substance the same as before. 
It contained a positive prohibition for the strangers to advance 
nearer to the capital; and expressed the confidence, that, 355 
now they had obtained what they had most desired, they 
would return to their own country without unnecessary delay. 
Cortes received this unpalatable response courteously, though 
somewhat coldly, and, turning to his officers, exclaimed, 
" This is a rich and powerful prince indeed ; yet it shall go 360 
hard, but we will one day pay him a visit in his capital !" 

While they were conversing, the bell struck for vespers. 
At the sound, the soldiers, throwing themselves on their 
knees, offered up their orisons before the large wooden cross 
planted in the sands. As the Aztec chiefs gazed with curious 365 
surprise, Cortes thought it a favourable occasion to impress 
them with what he conceived to be a principal object of his 
visit to the country. Father Olmedo accordingly expounded, 
as briefly and clearly as he could, the great doctrines of 
Christianity, touching on the atonement, the passion, and 370 
the resurrection, and concluding with assuring his astonished 
audience, that it was their intention to extirpate the idola- 
trous practices of the nation, and to substitute the pure 



S8 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [Y. 

worship of the true God. How far the Aztec lords compre- 

375 hended the mysteries of the Faith, as conveyed through the 
douhle version of Aguilar and Marina, we are not informed. 
There is reason to fear, however, that the seed fell on barren 
ground; for, when the homily of the good father ended, 
they withdrew with an air of dubious reserve very different 

380 from their friendly manners at the first interview. The 
same night every hut was deserted by the natives, and the 
Spaniards saw themselves suddenly cut off from supplies in 
the midst of a desolate wilderness. The movement had so 
suspicious an appearance, that Cortes apprehended an attack 

385 would be made on his quarters, and took precautions accord- 
ingly. But none was meditated. 

The army was at length cheered by the return of Montejo 
from his exploring expedition, after an absence of twelve 
days. He had run down the Gulf as far as Panuco, where 

390 he experienced such heavy gales, in attempting to double 
that headland, that he was driven back, and had nearly 
foundered. In the whole course of the voyage he had found 
only one place tolerably sheltered from the north winds. 
Fortunately, the adjacent country, well watered by fresh, 

400 running streams, afforded a favourable position for the camp ; 
and thither, after some deliberation, it was determined to 
repair. 




.& w y N S ^ 

•I fulfil. 




CHAPTEE YL 

TEOTJBLES IN THE CAMP — PLAN OF A COLONY — MANAGEMENT OV 
CORTES — MAECH TO CEMPOALLA — PROCEEDINGS WITH THE 
NATIVES — FOUNDATION OF VERA CRUZ. 

1519. 

THERE was a growing discontent among the men at their 
longer residence in this strange land. They were still 
more dissatisfied on learning the general's intention to remove 
to the neighbourhood of the port discovered by Montejo. 
"It was time to return," they said, "and report what had 5 
been done to the governor of Cuba, and not linger on these 
barren shores until they had brought the whole Mexican 
empire on their heads ! " Cortes evaded their importunities 
as well as he could, assuring them there was no cause for 
despondency. "Everything so far had gone on prosperously, 10 
and, when they had taken up a more favourable position, 
there was no reason to doubt they might still continue the 
same profitable intercourse with the natives." 

While this was passing, five Indians made their appearance 
in the camp one morning, and were brought to the general's 15 
tent. Their dress and whole appearance were different from 
those of the Mexicans. They wore rings of gold and gems 
of a bright blue stone in their ears and nostrils, while a 
gold leaf delicately wrought was attached to the under lip. 
Marina was unable to comprehend their language ; but, on 20 
her addressing them in Aztec, two of them, it was found, 
could converse in that tongue. They said they were natives 
of Cempoalla, the chief town of the Totonacs, a powerful 
nation who had come upon the great plateau many centuries 
back, and descending its eastern slope, settled along the 25 
iserras and broad plaiiis which skirt the Mexican Gulf 



42 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VI. 

towards the north. Their country was one of the recent 
conquests of the Aztecs, and they experienced such vexatious 
oppressions from their conquerors as made them very im- 

30 patient of the yoke. They informed Cortes of these and 
other particulars. The fame of the Spaniards had reached 
their master, who sent these messengers to request the 
presence of the wonderful strangers in his capital. 

This communication was eagerly listened to by the general. 

35 An important truth now flashed on his mind, as his quick 
eye descried in this spirit of discontent a potent lever by 
the aid of which he might hope to overturn this barbaric 
empire. He received the mission of the Totonacs most 
graciously, and, after informing himself, as far as possible, of 

40 their dispositions and resources, dismissed them with presents, 
promising soon to pay a visit to their lord. 

Meanwhile, his personal friends, particularly mentioned, 
were very busy in persuading the troops to take such 
measures as should enable Cortes to go forward in those 

45 ambitious plans for which he had no warrant from the 
powers of Yelasquez. " To return now," they said, " was to 
abandon the enterprise on the threshold, which, under such 
a leader, must conduct to glory and incalculable riches. To 
return to Cuba would be to surrender to the greedy governor 

50 the little gains they had already got. The only way was to 
persuade the general to establish a permanent colony in the 
country, the government of which would take the conduct 
of matters into his own hands, and provide for the interests 
of its members." 

55 These conferences could not be conducted so secretly, 
though held by night, as not to reach the ears of the friends 
of Velasquez. They remonstrated against the proceedings, 
as insidious and disloyal. They accused the general of 
instigating them; and, calling on him to take measures 

60 without delay for the return of the troops to Cuba, announced 
their own intention to depart, with such followers as still 
remained true to the governor. 

Cortes, instead of taking umbrage at this high-handed 
proceeding, or even answering in the same haughty tone, 



yi.] PLAN OF A COLONY. 43 

mildly replied, ** that nothing was further from his desire 65 
than to exceed his instructions. He, indeed, preferred to 
remain in the country and continue his profitable intercourse 
with the natives. But, since the army thought otherwise, 
he should defer to their opinion, and give orders to return, 
as they desired." On. the following morning, proclamation 70 
was made for the troops to hold themselves in readiness to 
embark at once on board the fleet, which was to sail for Cuba. 

Great was the sensation caused by their general's order. 
Even many of those before clamorous for it, with the usual 
caprice of men whose wishes are too easily gratified, now 75 
regretted it. The partisans of Cortes were loud in their 
remonstrances. "They were betrayed by the general," 
they cried, and thronging round his tent, called on him to 
countermand his orders. *'We came here," said they, 
" expecting to form a settlement, if the state of the country 80 
authorised it. Now it seems you have no warrant from the 
governor to make one. Eut there are interests, higher than 
those of Velasquez, which demand it. These territories are 
not his property, but were discovered for the Sovereigns." 

Cortes received this remonstrance with the embarrassed 85 
air of one by whom it was altogether unexpected. He 
modestly requested time for deliberation, and promised to 
give his answer on the following day. At the time 
appointed he called the troops together and made them 
a brief address. " There was no one," he said, " if he 90 
knew his own heart, more deeply devoted than himself to 
the welfare of his Sovereigns, and the glory of the Spanish 
name. He had not only expended his all, but incurred 
heavy debts, to meet the charges of this expedition, and had 
hoped to reimburse himself by continuing his traffic with 95 
the Mexicans. But if the soldiers thought a different course 
advisable, he was ready to postpone his own advantage to 
the good of the state." He concluded by declaring his 
willingness to take measures for settling a colony in the 
name of the Spanish Sovereigns^ and to nominate a magistracy 100 
to preside over it. 

For the alcaldes lie selected Puertocarrero and Montejo, 



44 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VI. 

the former cavalier his fast friend, and the latter the friend 
of Velasquez, and chosen for that very reason ; a stroke of 

105 policy which perfectly succeeded. The regidores, alguacil^ 
treasurer, and other functionaries, were then appointed, all 
of them his personal friends and adherents. They were 
regularly sworn into office, and the new city received the 
title of Villa Rica de Vera Cruz — "The Rich Town of the 

110 True Cross." 

The new municipality were not slow in coming together, 
when Cortes presented himself, cap in hand, before that 
august body, and, laying the powers of Velasquez on the 
table, respectfully tendered the resignation of his office of 

115 Captain General, " which, indeed," he said, " had necessarily 
expired, since the authority of the governor was now 
superseded by that of the magistracy of Villa Rica de 
Vera Cruz." He then with a profound obeisance left the 
apartment. 

120 The council, after a decent time spent in deliberation, 
again requested his "presence. "There was no one," they 
said, " who, on mature reflection, appeared to them so well 
qualified to take charge of the interests of the community, 
both in peace and in war, as himself ; and they unanimously 

125 named him, in behalf of their Catholic Highnesses, Captain 
General and Chief Justice of the colony." He was further 
empowered to draw, on his own account, one-fifth of the 
gold and silver which might hereafter be obtained by 
commerce or conquest from the natives. 

130 Harmony being thus restored, Cortes sent his heavy guns 
on board the fleet, and ordered it to coast along the shore to 
the north as far as Chiahuitsala, the town near w^hich the 
destined port of the new city M^as situated ; proposing, 
himself, at the head of his troops, to visit Cempoalla, on the 

135 march. The road lay for some miles across the dreary plains 
in the neighbourhood of the modern Vera Cruz. In this 
sandy waste no signs of vegetation met their eyes, which, 
however, were occasionally refreshed by glimpses of the blue 
Atlantic, and by the distant view of the magnificent Orizaba, 

X40 towering with his spotless diadem of snow far above his 



VI.] MARCH TO CEMPOALLA. 45 

colossal brethren of the Andes. As they advanced, the 
country gradually assumed a greener and richer aspect. 
They crossed a river, probably a tributary of the Rio de la 
Antigua, with difficulty, on rafts, and on some broken canoes 
that were lying on the banks. They now came in view of 145 
very different scenery — wide-rolling plains covered with a 
rich carpet of verdure, and overshadowed by groves of 
cocoas and feathery palms, among whose tall, slender stems 
were seen deer, and various wild animals with which the 
Spaniards were unacquainted. Some of the horsemen gave 150 
chase to the deer, and wounded, but did not succeed in 
killing them. They saw also pheasants and other birds; 
among them the wild turkey, the pride of the American 
forest, which the Spaniards described as a species of peacock. 

On their route they passed through some deserted villages, 155 
in which were Indian temples, where they found censers, 
and other sacred utensils, and manuscripts of the agave 
fibre, containing the picture-writing, in which, probably, their 
religious ceremonies were recorded. They now beheld also 
the hideous spectacle, with which they became afterwards 160 
familiar, of the mutilated corpses of victims who had been 
sacrificed to the accursed deities of the land. 

They held their course along the banks of the river, 
towards its source, when they were met by twelve Indians, 
sent by the cacique of Cempoalla to show them the way to 165 
his residence. At night they bivouacked in an open meadow, 
where they were well supplied with provisions by their new 
friends. They left the stream on the following morning, 
and, striking northerly across the country, came upon a wide 
expanse of luxuriant plains and woodland, glowing in all 170 
the splendour of tropical vegetation. The branches of the 
stately trees were gaily festooned with clustering vines of 
the dark -purple grape, variegated convolvuli, and other 
flowering parasites of the most brilliant dyes. The under- 
growth of prickly aloe, matted with wild rose and honeysuckle, 175 
made in many places an almost impervious thicket. Amid 
this wilderness of sweet-smelling buds and blossoms fluttered 
numerous birds of the parrot tribe, and clouds of butterflies, 



46 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VL 

whose gaudy colours, nowhere so gorgeous as in the tie^'ra 

180 caliente^ rivalled those of the vegetable creation ; while 
birds of exquisite song, the scarlet cardinal and the marvel- 
lous mocking-bird, that comprehends in his own notes the 
whole music of a forest, filled the air with delicious melody. 
As they approached the Indian city, they saw abundant 

185 signs of cultivation in the trim gardens and orchards that 
lined both sides of the road. They were now met by parties 
of the natives of either sex, who increased in numbers with 
every step of their progress. The women, as well as men, 
mingled fearlessly among the soldiers, bearing bunches and 

190 wreaths of flowers, with which they decorated the neck of 
the general's charger, and hung a chaplct of roses about 
his helmet. 

Many of the women appeared, from their richer dress 
and numerous attendants, to be persons of rank. They 

195 were clad in robes of fine cotton, curiously coloured, which 
reached from the neck — in the inferior orders, from the 
waist — to the ankles. The men wore a sort of mantle of 
the same material, in the Moorish fashion, over their 
shoulders, and belts or sashes about the loins. Eoth sexes 

200 had jewels and ornaments of gold round their necks, while 
their ears and nostrils were perforated with rings of the 
same metal. 

Just before reaching the town, some horsemen who had 
rode in advance returned with the amazing intelligence, 

205 " that they had been near enough to look within the gates, 
and found the houses all plated with burnished silver ! " 
On entering the place, the silver was found to be nothing 
more than a brilliant coating of stucco, with which the 
princii)al buildings were covered; a circumstance which 

210 produced much merriment among the soldiers at the expense 
of their credulous comrades. The edifices of the better kind 
were of stone and lime, or bricks dried in the sun; the 
poorer were of clay and earth. All were thatched with 
palm-leaves, which, though a flimsy roof, apparently, for 

215 such structures, were so nicely interwoven as to form £k 
very effectual protection against the w^P-they, 



VI.] PEOCEEDINGS WITH THE NATIVES. 47 

Slowly and silently the little army paced the narrow and 
now crowded streets of Cempoalla, inspiring the natives 
with no greater wonder than they themselves experienced 
at the display of a policy and refinement so far superior ,to 220 
anything they had witnessed in the New World. The 
cacique came out in front of his residence to receive them. 
He was a tall and very corpulent man, and advanced leaning 
on two of his attendants. He received Cortes and his 
followers with great courtesy ; and, after a brief interchange 225 
of civilities, assigned the army its quarters in a neighbouring 
temple, into the spacious courtyard of which a number of 
apartments opened, affording excellent accommodation for 
the soldiery. 

Here the Spaniards were well supplied with provisions, 2 5U 
meat cooked after the fashion of the country, and maize 
made into bread-cakes. The general received also a present 
of considerable value from the cacique, consisting of orna- 
ments of gold and fine cottons. Notwithstanding these 
friendly demonstrations, Cortes did not relax his habitual 23o 
vigilance, nor neglect any of the precautions of a good 
soldier. On his route, indeed, he had always marched in 
order of battle, well prepared against surprise. In his present 
quarters, he stationed his sentinels with like care, posted his 
small artillery so as to command the entrance, and forbade 240 
any soldier to leave the camp without orders, under pain 
of death. 

The following morning, Cortes, accompanied by fifty of 
his men, paid a visit to the lord of Cempoalla in his own 
residence. It was a building of stone and lime, standing 215 
on a steep terrace of earth, and was reached by a flight of 
stone steps. It may have borne resemblance in its struc- 
ture to some of the ancient buildings found in Central 
America. Cortes, leaving his soldiers in the court-yard, 
entered the mansion with one of his officers, and his fair 2C0 
interpreter. Dona Marina. A long conference ensued, from 
which the Spanish general gathered much light respecting 
the state of the country. He first announced to the chief 
that he was the subject of a great monarch who dwelt 



48 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VI. 

255 beyond the waters ; that he had come to the Aztec shores 
to abolish the inhuman worship which prevailed there, and 
to introduce the knowledge of the true God, The cacique 
replied that their gods, who sent them the sunshine and the 
rain, were good enough for them ; that he was the tributary 

260 of a powerful monarch also, whose capital stood on a lake 
far off among the mountains; a stern prince, merciless in 
his exactions, and, in case of resistance, or any offence, sure 
to wreak his vengeance by carrying off their young men 
and maidens to be sacrificed to his deities. Cortes assured 

265 him that he would never consent to such enormities; he 
had been sent by his sovereign to redress abuses and to 
punish the oppressor ; and, if the Totonacs would be true 
to him, he would enable them to throw off the detested 
yoke of the Aztecs. 

270 The cacique added, that the Totonac territory contained 
about thirty towns and villages, which could muster a 
hundred thousand warriors — a number much exaggerated. 
There were other provinces of the empire, he said, where 
the Aztec rule was equally odious; and between him and 

275 the capital lay the warlike republic of Tlascala, which had 
always maintained its independence of Mexico. The fame 
of the Spaniards had gone before them, and he was well 
acquainted with their terrible victory at Tabasco. But still 
he looked with doubt and alarm to a rupture with "the 

280 great Montezuma," as he always styled him. 

Cortes endeavoured to reassure him, by declaring that a 

single Spaniard was stronger than a host of Aztecs. At 

- the same time, it was desirable to know what nations would 

co-operate with him, not so much on his account, as theirs, 

285 that he might distinguish friend from foe, and know whom 
he was to spare in this war of extermination. Having 
raised the confidence of the admiring chief by this comfort- 
able and politic vaunt, he took an affectionate leave, with 
the assurance that he would shortly return and concert 

290 measures for their future operations, when he had visited 
his ships in the adjoining port, and secured a permanent 
settlement there. 



vl] proceedings with the natives. 49 

Taking leave of the hospitable Indian on the following 
day, the Spaniards took the road to Chiahuitzlan, about four 
leagues distant, near which was the port discovered by 295 
Montejo, where their ships were now riding at anchor. 
They were provided by the cacique with four hundred 
Indian porters, tamenes, as they were called, to transport the 
baggage. These men easily carried fifty pounds' weight 
five or six leagues in a day. They were in use all over the 300 
Mexican empire, and the Spaniards found them of great 
service, henceforth, in relieving the troops from this part of 
their duty. They passed through a country of the same 
rich, voluptuous character as that which they had lately 
traversed ; and arrived early next morning at the Indian 305 
town, perched like a fortress on a bold, rocky eminence that 
commanded the Gulf. Most of the inhabitants had fled, 
but fifteen of the principal men remained, who received 
them in a friendly manner, ofi'ering the usual compliments 
of flowers and incense. The people of the place, losing 310 
their fears, gradually returned. While conversing with the 
chiefs, the Spaniards were joined by the worthy cacique of 
Cempoalla, borne by his men on a litter. He eagerly took 
part in their deliberations. 

In the midst of their conference, they were interrupted 315 
by a movement among the people, and soon afterwards five 
men entered the great square or market-place, where they 
were standing. By their lofty port, their peculiar and much 
richer dress, they seemed not to be of the same race as 
these Indians. Their dark glossy hair was tied in a knot 320 
on the top of the head. They had bunches of flowers in 
their hands, and were followed by several attendants, some 
bearing wands with cords, others fans, with which they 
brushed away the flies and insects from their lordly masters. 
As these persons passed through the place, they cast a 325 
haughty look on the Spaniards, scarcely deigning to return 
their salutations. They were immediately joined, in great 
confusion, by the Totonac chiefs, who seemed anxious to 
conciliate them by every kind of attention. 

The general, much astonished, inquired of Marina what 330 



50 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VI. 

it meant. She informed him they were Aztec nobles, 
empowered to receive the tribute for Montezuma. Soon 
after, the chiefs returned with dismay painted on their 
faces. They confirmed Marina's statement, adding, that 
335 the Aztecs greatly resented the entertainment afforded the 
Spaniards without the Emperor's permission ; and demanded 
in expiation twenty young men and women for sacrifice to 
the gods. Cortes showed the strongest indignation at this 
insolence. He required the Totonacs not only to refuse the 
340 demand, but to arrest the persons of the collectors, and 
throw them into prison. The chiefs hesitated, but he in- 
sisted on it so peremptorily, that they at length complied, 
and the Aztecs were seizid, bound hand and foot, and placed 
under a guard. 
845 In the night, the Spanish general procured the escape 
of two of them, and had them brought secretly before him. 
He expressed his regret at the indignity they had expe- 
rienced from the Totonacs; told them, he would provide 
means for their flight, and to-morrow would endeavour to 
850 obtain the release of their companions. He desired them 
to report this to their master, with assurances of the great 
regard the Spaniards entertained for him, notwithstanding 
his ungenerous behaviour in leaving them to perish from 
want on his barren shores. He then sent the Mexican 
855 nobles down to the port, whence they were carried to 
another part of the coast by water, for fear of the violence 
of the Totonacs. These were greatly incensed at the escape 
of the prisoners, and would have sacrificed the remainder 
at once, but for the Spanish commander, who evinced the 
860 utmost horror at the proposal, and ordered them to be sent 
for safe custody on board the fleet. Soon after, they were 
permitted to join their companions. 

By order of Cortes, messengers were despatched to the 
Totonac towns, to report what had been done, calling on 
365 them to refuse the payment of further tribute to Monte- 
zuma. But there was no need of messengers. The 
affrighted attendants of the Aztec lords had fled in every 
direction bearing the tidings, which spread like wildfire 



vl] foundation of veea ceuz. 51 

through the country, of the daring insult offered to the 
majesty of Mexico. The astonished Indians, cheered with 370 
the sweet hope of regaining their ancient liberty, came in 
numbers to Chiahuitzlan, to see and confer with the formid- 
able strangers. The more timid, dismayed at the thoughts 
of encountering the power of Montezuma, recommended an 
embassy to avert his displeasure by timely concessions. But 375 
the dexterous management of Cortes had committed them 
too far to allow any reasonable expectation of indulgence 
from this quarter. After some hesitation, therefore, it was 
determined to embrace the protection of the Spaniards, 
and to make one bold effort for the recovery of freedom. 380 
Oaths of allegiance were taken by the chiefs to the Spanish 
sovereigns, and duly recorded by Godoy, the royal notary. 
Cortes, satisfied with the important acquisition of so many 
vassals to the Crown, set out soon after for the destined 
port, having first promised to revisit Cempoalla, where his 3S5 
business was but partially accomplished. 

The spot selected for the new city was only half a league 
distant, in a w^ide and fruitful plain, affording a tolerable 
haven for the shipping. Cortes was not long in determining 
the circuit of the walls, and the sites of the fort, granary, 390 
town-house, temple, and other public buildings. The 
friendly Indians eagerly assisted, by bringing materials, 
stone, lime, wood, and bricks dried in the sun. Every 
man put his hand to the work. The general laboured with 
the meanest of the soldiers, stimulating their exertions by 395 
his example, as well as voice. In a few weeks the task 
was accomplished, and a town rose up, which, if not quite 
worthy of the aspiring name it bore, answered most of the 
purposes for which it was intended. 

It was the first colony — the fruitful parent of so many 400 
others — in New Spain. It was hailed with satisfaction by 
the simple natives, who hoped to repose in safety under its 
protecting shadow. Alas ! they could not read the future, 
or they would have found no cause to rejoice in this har- 
binger of a revolution more tremendous than any predicted 405 
by their bards and prophets. 



CHAPTER YII. 

ANOTHER AZTEC EMBASSY — DESTRUCTION OF THE IDOLS — DESPATCHES 
SENT TO SPAIN— CONSPIRACY IN THE CAMP — THE FLEET SUNK. 

1519. 

WHILE the Spaniards were occupied with their new 
settlement, they were surprised by the presence of an 
embassy from Mexico. The account of the imprisonment of 
the royal collectors had spread rapidly through the country. 
5 When it reached the capital, all were filled with amazement 
at the unprecedented daring of the strangers. In Montezuma 
every other feeling, even that of fear, was swallowed up in 
indignation ; and he showed his wonted energy in the 
vigorous preparations which he instantly made to punish 

10 his rebellious vassals, and to avenge the insult offered to the 
majesty of the empire. But when the Aztec officers liberated 
by Cortes reached the capital and reported the courteous 
treatment they had received from the Spanish commander, 
Montezuma's anger was mitigated, and his superstitious 

15 fears, getting the ascendancy again, induced him to resume 

his former timid and conciliatory policy. He accordingly 

sent an embassy, consisting of two youths, his nephews, 

and four of the ancient nobles of his court, to the Spanish 

■ quarters. He provided them, in his usual munificent spirit, 

20 with a princely donation of gold, rich cotton stuffs, and 
beautiful mantles of the plumaje, or feather embroidery. 
The envoys, on coming before Cortes, presented him with 
the articles, at the same time offering the acknowledgments 
of their master for the courtesy he had shown in liberating 

25 his captive nobles. He was surprised and afflicted, however, 
that the Spaniards should have countenanced his faithless 
vassals in their rebellion. He had no doubt they were the 
strangers whose arrival had been so long announced by the 



VII.] ANOTHER AZTEC EMBASSY. 53 

oracles, and of the same lineage with himself. From 
deference to them he would spare the Totonacs, while they 30 
were present. But the time for vengeance would come. 

Cortes entertained the Indian chieftains with frank hos- 
pitality. At the same time he took care to make such a 
display of his resources, as, while it amused their minds, 
should leave a deep impression of his power. He then, 35 
after a few trifling gifts, dismissed them with a conciliatory 
message to their master, and the assurance that he should 
soon pay his respects to him in his capital, where all 
misunderstanding between them would be readily adjusted. 

The Totonac allies could scarcely credit their senses, 40 
when they gathered the nature of this interview. Not- 
withstanding the presence of the Spaniards, they had looked 
with apprehension to the consequences of their rash act; 
and their feelings of admiration were heightened into awe 
for the strangers who, at this distance, could exercise so 45 
mysterious an influence over the terrible Montezuma. 

Cortes' next step was to declare that it was a great object 
of his mission to wean the natives from their heathenish 
abominations, and besought the Totonac lord to allow his 
idols to be cast down, and the symbols of the true faith to 50 
be erected in their place. 

To this the other answered as before, that his gods were 
good enough for him ; nor could all the persuasion of the 
general, nor the preaching of father Olmedo, induce him to 
acquiesce. He plainly told the Spaniards that he would 55 
resist any violence offered to his gods, who would, indeed, 
avenge the act themselves, by the instant destruction of 
their enemies. 

But the zeal of the Christians had mounted too high to 
be cooled by remonstrance or menace. During their residence 60 
in the land, they had witnessed more than once the barbarous 
rites of the natives, their cruel sacrifices of human victims, 
and their disgusting cannibal repasts. 

Scarcely waiting for his commands, the Spaniards moved 
towards one of the principal teocallis, or temples, which rose 65 
high on a pyramidal foundation, with a steep ascent of 



54 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [vil. 

stone steps in the middle. The cacique, divining their 
purpose, instantly called his men to arms The Indian 
warriors gathered from all quarters, with shrill cries and 

70 clashing of weapons ; while the priests, in their dark cotton 
robes, with dishevelled tresses matted with blood, flowing 
wildly over their shoulders, rushed frantic among the natives, 
calling on them to protect their gods from violation ! All 
was now confusion, tumult, and warlike menace, where so 

75 lately had been peace and the sweet brotherhood of nations. 

Cortes took his usual prompt and decided measures. He 

caused the cacique and some of the principal inhabitants and 

priests to be arrested by his soldiers. He then commanded 

them to quiet the people, for, if an arrow was shot against 

80 a Spaniard, it should cost every one of them his life. 
Marina, at the same time, represented the madness of 
resistance, and reminded the cacique, that, if he now alien- 
ated the affections of the Spaniards, he would be left without 
a protector against the terrible vengeance of Montezuma. 

85 These temporal considerations seem to have had more 

weight with the Totonac chieftain than those of a more 

spiritual nature. He covered his face with his hands, 

exclaiming, that the gods would avenge their own wrongs. 

The Christians were not slow in availing themselves of 

90 his tacit acquiescence. Fifty soldiers, at a signal from their 
general, sprang up the great stairway of the temple, entered 
the building on the summit, the walls of which were black 
with human gore, tore the huge wooden idols from their 
foundations, and dragged them to the edge of the terrace. 

95 Their fantastic forms and features, conveying a symbolic 
meaning, which was lost on the Spaniards, seemed in their 
eyes only the hideous lineaments of Satan. With great 
alacrity they rolled the colossal monsters down the steps of 
the pyramid, amidst the triumphant shouts of their own 
100 companions, and the groans and lamentations of the natives. 
They then consummated the whole by burning them in the 
presence of the assembled multitude. 

The same effect followed as in Cozumel. The Totonacs, 
finding their deities incapable of preventing or even punishing 



VIL] DESTRtTCTlON OF l-HE IDOLS. 55 

this profanation of their shrines, conceived a mean opinion 105 
of their power, compared with that of the mysterious and 
formidable strangers. The floor and walls of the teocalli 
were then cleansed, by command of Cortes, from their foul 
impurities; a fresh coating of stucco was laid on them by 
the Indian masons ; and an altar was raised, surmounted by 110 
a lofty cross, and hung with garlands of roses. A pro- 
cession was next formed, in which some of the principal 
Totonac priests, exchanging their dark mantles for robes of 
Avhite, carried lighted candles in their hands; while an 
image of the Virgin, half smothered under the weight of 115 
flowers, was borne aloft, and, as the procession climbed the 
steps of the temple, was deposited above the altar. Mass 
was performed by father Olmedo, and the impressive char- 
acter of the ceremony and the passionate eloquence of the 
good priest touched the feelings of the motley audience, 120 
until Indians as well as Spaniards, if we may trust the 
chronicler, were melted into tears and audible sobs. 

An old soldier named Juan de Torres, disabled by bodily 
infirmity, consented to remain and watch over the sanctuary 
and instruct the natives in its services. Cortes then em- 125 
bracing his Totonac allies, now brothers in religion as in 
arms, set out once more for the Villa Rica, where he had 
some arrangements to complete, previous to his departure 
for the capital. 

He was surprised to find that a Spanish vessel had arrived 130 
there in his absence, having on board twelve soldiers and 
two horses. It was under the command of a captain named 
Saucedo, a cavalier of the ocean, who had followed in the 
track of Cortes in quest of adventure. Though a small, 
they afforded a very seasonable, body of recruits for the 135 
little army. By these men, the Spaniards were informed 
that Velasquez, the governor of Cuba, had lately received 
a warrant from the Spanish government to establish a colony 
in the newly discovered countries. 

Cortes now resolved to put a plan in execution which 140 
he had been some time meditating. He knew that all the 
late acts of the colony, as well as his own authority, would 



56 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VII. 

fall to the ground without the royal sanction. He knew, 
too, that the interest of Yelasquez, which was great at court, 

145 would, so soon as he was acquainted with his secession, be 
wholly employed to circumvent and crush him. He resolved 
to anticipate his movements, and to send a vessel to Spain, 
with despatches addressed to the emperor himself, announcing 
the nature and extent of his discoveries, and to obtain, if 

150 possible, the confirmation of his proceedings. In order to 
conciliate his master's good-will, he further proposed to send 
him such a present as should suggest lofty ideas of the 
importance of his own services to the crown. To effect 
this, the royal fifth he considered inadequate. He conferred 

155 with his officers, and persuaded them to relinquish their 
share of the treasure. At his instance, they made a similar 
application to the soldiers; representing that it was the 
earnest wish of the general, who set the example by 
resigning his own fifth, equal to the share of the crown. It 

160 was but little that each man was asked to surrender, but 
the whole would make a present worthy of the monarch for 
whom it was intended. By this sacrifice they might hope to 
secure his indulgence for the past, and his favour for the 
future ; a temporary sacrifice, that would be well repaid by 

165 the security of the rich possessions which awaited them in 
Mexico. A paper was then circulated among the soldiers, 
which all, who were disposed to relinquish their shares, 
were requested to sign. Those who declined should have 
their claims respected, and receive the amount due to them. 

170 No one refused to sign ; thus furnishing another example 
of the extraordinary power obtained by Cortes over these 
rapacious spirits, who, at his call, surrendered up the 
very treasures which had been the great object of their 
hazardous enterprise ! 

175 He accompanied this present with a letter to the emperor, 
in which he gave a full account of all that had befallen 
him since his departure from Cuba. 

Shortly after the despatch of this letter, an affair occurred 
of a most unpleasant nature. A number of persons, with 

180 the priest Juan Diaz at their head, ill-affected, from some 



VII.] CONSPIRACY IN THE CAMP. 57 

cause or other, towards the administration of Cortes, or not 
relishing the hazardous expedition before them, laid a plan 
to seize one of the vessels, make the best of their way to 
Cuba, and report to the governor the fate of the armament. 
It was conducted with so much secrecy, that the party had 185 
got their provisions, water, and everything necessary for the 
voyage, on board without detection; when the conspiracy 
was iDetrayed on the very night they were to sail by one of 
their own number, who repented the part he had taken in 
it. The general caused the persons implicated to be instantly 190 
apprehended. An examination was instituted. The guilt 
of the parties was placed beyond a doubt. Sentence of 
death was passed on two of the ringleaders; another, the 
pilot, was condemned to lose his feet, and several others to 
be whipped. The priest, probably the most guilty of the 195 
whole, claiming the usual benefit of clergy, was permitted 
to escape. The general on signing the death-warrants was 
heard to exclaim, "Would that I had never learned to 
write !" It was not the first time, it was remarked, that 
the exclamation had been uttered in similar circumstances. 200 

The arrangements being now finally settled at the Villa 
Rica, Cortes sent forward Alvarado, with a large part of the 
army, to Cempoalla, w^iere he soon after joined them with 
the remainder. The late affair of the conspiracy seems to 
have made a deep impression on his mind. It showed him 205 
that there were timid spirits in the camp on whom he could 
not rely, and who, he feared, might spread the seeds of 
disaffection among their companions. Even the more resolute, 
on any occasion of disgust or disappointment hereafter, 
might falter in purpose, and, getting possession of the 210 
vessels, abandon the enterprise. This was already too vast, 
and the odds were too formidable, to authorise expectation 
of success with diminution of numbers. Experience showed 
that this was always to be apprehended, while means of 
escape were at hand. The best chance for success was to 215 
cut off these means. He came to the daring resolution to 
destroy the fleet, without the knowledge of his army. 

When arrived at Cempoalla, he communicated his design 



5§ CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VII. 

to a few of his devoted adherents, who entered warmly into 

220 his views. Through them he readily persuaded the pilots, 
by means of those golden arguments which weigh more 
than any other with ordinary minds, to make such a report 
of the condition of the fleet as suited his purpose. The 
ships, they said, were grievously racked by the heavy gales 

225 they had encountered, and, what was worse, the worms had 
eaten into their sides and bottoms until most of them were 
not seaworthy, and some indeed could scarcely now be kept 
afloat. 

Cortes received the communication with surprise. " If 

230 it be so," he exclaimed, " we must make the best of it ! 
Heaven's will be done!" He then ordered five of the 
worst-conditioned to be dismantled, their cordage, sails, 
iron, and whatever was moveable, to be brought on shore, 
and the ships to be sunk. A survey was made of the others, 

235 and, on a similar report, four more were condemned in the 
same manner. Only one small vessel remained ! 

When the intelligence reached the troops in Cempoalla, 
it caused the deepest consternation. They saw themselves 
cut off by a single blow from friends, family, country. 

240 The stoutest hearts quailed before the prospect of being 
thus abandoned on a hostile shore, a handful of men arrayed 
against a formidable empire. When the news arrived of 
the destruction of the five vessels first condemned, they had 
acquiesced in it, as a necessary measure, knowing the 

245 mischievous activity of the insects in these tropical seas. 
But, when this was followed by the loss of the remaining 
four, suspicions of the truth flashed on their minds. They 
felt they were betrayed. Murmurs, at first deep, swelled 
louder and louder, menacing open mutiny. " Their general," 

250 they said, " had led them like cattle to be butchered in the 
shambles !" The affair wore a most alarming aspect. In no 
situation was Cortes ever exposed to greater danger from 
his soldiers. 

His presence of mind did not desert him at this crisis. 

255 He called his men together, and employing the tones of 
persuasion rather than authority, assured them that a survey 



VII.] THE FLEET SUNK. 59 

of the ships showed they were not fit for service. If he 
had ordered them to be destroyed, they should consider, 
also, that his was the greatest sacrifice, for they were his 
property — all, indeed, he possessed in the world. The 260 
troops on the other hand, would derive one great advantage 
from it, by the addition of a hundred able-bodied recruits, 
before required to man the vessels. But, even if the fleet 
had been saved, it could have been of little service in their 
present expedition ; since they would not need it if they 2G5 
succeeded, while they would be too far in the interior to 
profit by it if they failed. He besought them to turn 
their thoughts in another direction. To be thus calculating 
chances and means of escape was unworthy of brave souls. 
They had set their hands to the work ; to look back, as 270 
they advanced, would be their ruin. They had only to 
resume their former confidence in themselves and their 
general, and success was certain. "As for me," he concluded, 
"I have chosen my part. I will remain here, while there 
is one to bear me company. If there be any so craven as 275 
to shrink from sharing the dangers of our glorious enterprise, 
let them go home, in God's name. There is still one vessel • 
left. Let them take that and return to Cuba. They can 
tell there how they deserted their commander and their 
comrades, and patiently wait till we return loaded » with the 280 
spoils of the Aztecs." 

The politic orator had touched the right chord in the 
bosoms of the soldiers As he spoke, their resentment 
gradually died away. The faded visions of future riches 
and glory, rekindled by his eloquence, again floated before 285 
their imaginations. The first shock over, they felt ashamed 
of their temporary distrust. The enthusiasm for their leader 
revived, for they felt that under his banner only they could 
hope for victory; and they testified the revulsion of their 
feelings by making the air ring with their shouts, " To 290 
Mexico! to Mexico!" 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE SPANIARDS CLIMB THE TABLELAND— PICTURESQUE SCENlSHY — 
TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES — EMBASSY TO TLASCALA. 

1519. 

CORTES now made arrangements for his speedy departure 
from the Totonac capital. The forces reserved for the 
expedition amounted to about four hundred foot and fifteen 
horse, with seven pieces of artillery. He obtained, also, 
5 thirteen hundred Indian warriors, and a thousand tamanes, 
from the cacique of Cempoalla, to drag the guns, and trans- 
port the baggage. He took forty more of their principal 
men as hostages, as well as to guide him on the way, and 
serve him by their counsels among the strange tribes he was 

10 to visit. 

The remainder of his Spanish force he left in garrison at 
Villa Rica de Vera Cruz, the command of which he had 
intrusted to the alguacil, Juan de Escalante, an officer 
devoted to his interests. 

15 After some leagues of travel over roads made nearly 
impassable by the summer rains, the troops began the 
gradual ascent — more gradual on the eastern than the 
western declivities of the Cordilleras — which leads up to 
the tableland of Mexico. At the close of the second day, 

20 they reached Xalapa, a place still retaining the same Aztec 
name that it has communicated to the drug raised in its 
environs, the medicinal virtues of which are now known 
throughout the world. 

Still winding their way upward, amidst scenery, as different 

25 as was the temperature from that of the regions below, the 
army passed through settlements containing some hundreds 
of inhabitants each, and on the fourth day reached a "strong 
town,*' as Cortes terms it, standing on a rocky eniiiience. 



viil] picturesque scenery. 61 

supposed to be that now know^n by the Mexican name of 
Naulinco. Here they were hospitably entertained by the 30 
inhabitants, who were friends of the Totonacs. 

The troops now entered a rugged defile, the Bishop's Pass, 
as it is called, capable of easy defence against an army. 
Very soon they experienced a most unwelcome change of 
climate. Cold winds from the mountains, mingled with 35 
rain, and, as they rose still higher, with driving sleet and 
hail, drenched their garments, and seemed to penetrate to 
their very bones. The Spaniards, indeed, partially covered 
by their armour and thick jackets of quilted cotton, were 
better able to resist the weather, though their long residence 40 
in the sultry regions of the valley made them still keenly 
sensible to the annoyance. But the poor Indians, natives 
of the tierra caliente, with little protection in the way of 
covering, sunk under the rude assault of the elements, and 
several of them perished on the road. 45 

The aspect of the country was as wild and dreary as the 
climate. Their route wound along the spur of the huge 
Cofre de Perote, which borrows its name, both in Mexican 
and Castilian, from the coffer-like rock on its summit. It 
is one of the great volcanoes of J^ew Spain. It exhibits 50 
now, indeed, no vestige of a crater on its top, but abundant 
traces of volcanic action at its base, where acres of lava, 
blackened scoriae, and cinders, proclaim the convulsions of 
nature, while numerous shrubs and mouldering trunks of 
enormous trees, among the crevices, attest the antiquity 55 
of these events. Working their toilsome way across this 
scene of desolation, the path often led them along the 
borders of precipices, down whose sheer depths of two or 
three thousand feet the shrinking eye might behold another 
climate, and see all the glowing vegetation of the tropics 60 
choking up the bottom of the ravines. 

After three days of this fatiguing travel, the way-worn 
army emerged through another defile, the Sierra del Agua. 
They soon came upon an open reach of country, with a 
genial climate, such as belongs to the temperate latitudes of C5 
southern Europe. They had reached the level of more thaa 



62 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII. 

seven thousand feet above the ocean, where the great sheet 
of table-land spreads out for hundreds of miles along the 
crests of the Cordilleras. The country showed signs of 

70 careful cultivation, but the products were, for the most part, 
not familiar to the eyes of the Spaniards. Fields and 
hedges of the various tribes of the cactus, the towering 
organum, and plantations of aloes with rich yellow clusters 
of flowers on their tall stems, afi'ording drink and clothing 

75 to the Aztec, were everywhere seen. The plants of the 
torrid and temperate zones had disappeared, one after 
another, with the ascent into these elevated regions. The 
glossy and dark-leaved banana, the chief, as it is the 
cheapest, aliment of the countries below, had long since 

80 faded from the landscape. The hardy maize, however, still 
shone with its golden harvests in all the pride of cultivation, 
the great staple of the higher, equally with the lower 
terraces of the plateau. 

Suddenly the troops came upon what seemed the environs 

85 of a populous city, which, as they entered it, appeared to 
surpass even that of Cempoalla in the size and solidity of its 
structures. These were of stone and lime, many of them 
spacious and tolerably high. There were thirteen teocallis 
in the place ; and in the suburbs they had seen a receptacle, 

90 in which, according to Bernal Diaz, were stored a hundred 
thousand skulls of human victims, all piled and ranged in 
order ! 

The lord of the town ruled, over twenty thousand vassals. 
He was tributary to Montezuma, and a strong Mexican 

95 garrison was quartered in the place. He had probably been 
advised of the approach of the Spaniards, and doubted how 
far it would be welcome to his sovereign. At all events, he 
gave them a cold reception, the more unpalatable after the 
extraordinary sufferings of the last few days. To the 
100 inquiry of Cortes, whether he w^ere subject to Montezuma, 
he answered with real or affected surprise, "Who is there 
that is not a vassal to Montezuma?" The general told him, 
with some emphasis, that he was not. He then explained 
whence and why he came, assuring him that he served a 



vhl] transactions with the natives. 63 

monarch who had princes for his vassals as powerful as the 1Q5 
Aztec monarch himself. 

The cacique in turn fell nothing short of the Spaniard in 
the pompous display of the grandeur and resources of the 
Indian emperor. He told his guest that Montezuma could 
muster thirty great vassals, each master of a hundred 11 G 
thousand men ! His revenues were immense, as every 
subject, however poor, paid something. They were all 
expended on his magnificent state, and in support of his 
armies. These were continually in the field, while garrisons 
were maintained in most of the large cities of the empire. I'^O 
More than twenty thousand victims, the fruit of his wars, 
were annually sacrificed on the altars of his gods ! His 
capital, the cacique said, stood in a lake in the centre of a 
spacious valley. The lake was commanded by the emperor's 
vessels, and the approach to the city was by means of cause- 125 
ways, several miles long, connected in parts by wooden 
bridges, which, when raised, cut off all communication with 
the country. 

In a further conversation Cortes inquired of the chief, 
whether his country abounded in gold, and intimated a 130 
desire to take home some, as specimens to his sovereign. 
But the Indian lord declined to give him any, saying, it 
might displease Montezuma. " Should he command it," he 
added, " my gold, my person, and all I possess, shall be at 
your disposal." The general did not press the matter 135 
further. 

The curiosity of the natives was naturally excited by the 
strange dresses, weapons, horses, and dogs of the Spaniards. 
Marina, in satisfying their inquiries, took occasion to mag- 
nify the prowess of her adopted countrymen, expatiating on 140 
their exploits and victories, and stating the extraordinary 
marks of respect they had received from Montezuma. This 
intelligence seems to have had its effect ; for soon after, the 
cacique gave the general some curious trinkets of gold, of no 
great value, indeed, but as a testimony of his good will. 145 

The Spanish general, as usual, did not neglect the occasion 
to inculcate the great truths of revelatioii on his host^ aiici 



64 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [vill. 

to display the atrocity of the Indian superstitions. The 
cacique listened with civil, but cold indifference. Cortes, 

150 finding him unmoved, turned briskly round to his soldiers, 
exclaiming that now was the time to plant the Cross ! They 
eagerly seconded his pious purpose, and the same scenes 
might have been enacted as at Cempoalla, with, perhaps, 
very different results, had not father Olmedo, with better 

155 judgment, interposed. 

The Spanish commander remained in the city four or 
five days to recruit his fatigued and famished forces, and 
the modern Indians still point out, or did, at the close of 
the last century, a venerable cypress, under the branches of 

160 which was tied the horse of the conquistador — the Conqueror, 
as Cortes was styled. Their route now opened on a broad 
and verdant valley, watered by a noble stream — a circum- 
stance of not too frequent occurrence on the parched table- 
land of New Spain. 

165 All along the river, on both sides of it, an unbroken line 
of Indian dwellings, "so near as almost to touch one 
another," extended for three or four leagues; arguing a 
population much denser than at present. On a rough and 
rising ground stood a town, that might contain five or six 

170 thousand inhabitants, commanded by a fortress, which, with 
its walls and trenches, seemed to the Spaniards quite " on a 

• level with similar works in Europe." Here the troops again 
halted, and met with friendly treatment. 

Cortes now determined his future line of march. At the 

175 last place he had been counselled by the natives to take 
the route of the ancient city of Cholula, the inhabitants of 
which, subjects of Montezuma, were a mild race, devoted to 
mechanical and other peaceful arts, and would be likely to 
entertain him kindly. Their Cempoallan allies, however, 

180 advised the Spaniards not to trust the Cholulans, "a false 
and perfidious people," but to take the road to Tlascala, 
that valiant little republic which had so long maintained its 
independence against the arms of Mexico. The people were 
frank as they were fearless, and fair in their dealings. They 

185 had always been on terms of amity with the Totonacs, 



viil] embassy to tlascala. 65 

which afforded a strong guarantee for their amicable dis- 
position on the present occasion. 

The arguments of his Indian allies prevailed with the 
Spanish commander, ^^^ho resolved to propitiate the good- 
will of the Tlascalans by an embassy. He selected four of 190 
the principal Cempoallans for this, and sent by them a 
martial gift— a cap of crimson cloth, together with a sword 
and a crossbow, weapons which, it was observed, excited 
general admiration among the natives. He added a letter, 
m which he asked permission to pass through their country. 195 
He expressed his admiration of the valour of the Tlascalans. 
and of their long resistance to the Aztecs, whose proud 
empire he designed to humble. It was not to be expected 
that this epistle, indited in good Castilian, would be very 
intelligible to the Tlascalans. But Cortes communicated its 200 
import to the ambassadors. Its mysterious characters might 
impress the natives with an idea of superior intelligence, 
and the letter serve instead of those hieroglyphical missives 
which formed the usual credentials of an Indian ambassador. 

The Spaniards remained three days in this hospitable 205 
place, after the departure of the envoys, when they resumed 
their progress. 

As they advanced into a country of rougher and bolder 
features, their progress was suddenly arrested by a remark^ 
able fortification. It was a stone wall nine feet in height, 210 
and twenty in thickness, with a parapet a foot and a half 
broad, raised on the summit for the protection of those who 
defended it. It had only one opening, in the centre, made 
by two semicircular lines of wall, overlapping each other 
for the space of forty paces, and affording a passage-way 215 
between, ten paces wide, so contrived therefore as to^ be 
perfectly commanded by the inner wall. This fortification, 
which extended more than two leagues, rested at either end 
on the bold natural buttresses formed by the sierra. The 
work was built of immense blocks of stones nicely laid 220 
together without cement; and the remains still existing, 
among which are rocks of the whole breadth of the rampart, 
fully attest its solidity and size. 



66 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII. 

This singular structure marked the limits of Tlascala, and 
was intended, as the natives told the Spaniards, as a barrier 

225 against the Mexican invasions. The army paused, filled 
with amazement at the contemplation of this Cyclopean 
monument, which naturally suggested reflections on the 
strength and resources of the people who had raised it. It 
caused them, too, some painful solicitude as to the probable 

230 result of their mission to Tlascala, and their own consequent 
reception there. But they were too sanguine to allow such 
uncomfortable surmises long to dwell in their minds. Cortes 
put himself at the head of his cavalry, and calling out, 
"Forward, soldiers, the Holy Cross . is our banner, and 

235 under that we shall conquer," led his little army through 
the undefended passage, and in a few moments they trod 
the soil of the free republic of Tlascala. 



CHAPTER IX. 

REPUBLIC OF TLASCALA — DISCUSSIONS IN THE SENATE — 
DESPERATE BATTLES. 

1519. 

niHE Tlascalans had been made acquainted with the advance 
Jl and victorious career of the Christians, the intelligence 
of which had spread far and wide over the plateau. But 
they do not seem to have anticipated the approach of the 
strangers to their own borders. They were now much 5 
embarrassed by the embassy demanding a passage through 
their territories. The great council was convened, and a 
considerable difference of opinion prevailed in its members. 
Some, adopting the popular superstition, supposed the 
Spaniards might be the white and bearded men foretold by 10 
the oracles. At all events, they were the enemies of Mexico, 
and as such might co-operate with them in their struggle 
with the empire. Others argued that the strangers could have 
nothing in common with them. Their march throughout the 
land might be tracked by the broken images of the Indian 15 
gods, and desecrated temples. How did the Tlascalans even 
know that they were foes to Montezuma 1 They had received 
his embassies, accepted his presents, and were now in the 
company of his vassals on the way to his capital. 

These last were the reflections of an aged chief, one of 20 
the four who presided over the republic. His name was 
Xicotencatl. He was nearly blind, having lived, as is said, ' 
far beyond the limits of a century. His son, an impetuous 
young man of the same name with himself, commanded a 
powerful army of Tlascalan and Otomie warriors, near the 25 
eastern frontier. It would be best, the old man said, to fall 
with this force at once on the Spaniards. If victorious, the 
latter would then be in their power. If defeated, the 
senate could disown the act as that of the general, not of 
the republic. The cunning counsel of the chief found 30 



68 COHQUEST OP MEXICO. [iX. 

favour with his hearers, though assuredly not in the spirit of 
chivalry, nor of the good faith for vs^hich his countrymen 
were celebrated. The Cempoallan envoys were to be 
detained under pretence of assisting at a religious sacrifice. 

85 Meanwhile, Cortes and his gallant band, as stated in the 
preceding chapter, had arrived before the rocky rampart on 
the eastern confines of Tlascala. From some cause or other, 
it was not manned by its Otomie garrison, and the Spaniards 
passed in, as we have seen, without resistance. Cortes rode 

40 at the head of his body of horse, and, ordering the infantry 
to come on at a quick pace, went forward to reconnoitre. 
After advancing three or four leagues, he descried a small 
party of Indians, armed with sword and buckler, in the 
fashion of the country. They fled at his approach. He 

45 made signs for them to halt, but, seeing that they only fled 
the faster, he and his companions put spurs to their horses, 
and soon came up with them. The Indians, finding escape 
impossible, faced round, and, instead of showing the accus- 
tomed terror of the natives at the strange and appalling aspect 

50 of a mounted trooper, they commenced a furious assault on the 
cavaliers. The latter, however, were too strong for them, and 
would have cut their enemy to pieces without much difficulty, 
when a body of several thousand Indians appeared in sight, 
and coming briskly on to the support of their countrymen. 

55 Cortes, seeing them, despatched one of his party, in all 
haste, to accelerate the march of his infantry. The Indians, 
after discharging their missiles, fell furiously on the little 
band of Spaniards. They strove to tear the lances from 
their grasp, and to drag the riders from the horses. They 

60 brought one cavalier to the ground, who afterwards died of 
his wounds, and they killed two of the horses, cutting 
through their necks with their stout broadswords — if we 
may believe the chronicler — at a blow. 

The struggle was a hard one. No sooner had the main 

65 body reached the field of battle, than, hastily forming, they 
poured such a voUey from their muskets and crossbows as 
staggered the enemy. Astounded, rather than intimidated, 
by the terrible report of the firearms, now heard for the 



IX.] DESPERATE BATTLES. 69 

first time in these regions, the Indians tnacle no further 
effort to continue the fight, but drew off in good order, 70 
leaving the road open to the Spaniards. The latter, too 
well satisfied to be rid of the annoyance, to care to follow 
the retreating foe, again held on their way. 

Their route took them through a country sprinkled over 
with Indian cottages, amidst flourishing fields of maize and 75 
maguey, indicating an industrious and thriving peasantry. 
They were met here by two Tlascalan envoys, accompanied 
by two of the Cempoallans. The foruier, presenting them- 
selves before the general, disavowed the assault on his 
troops, as an unauthorised act, and assured him of a friendly 80 
reception at their capital. Cortes received the communication 
in a courteous manner, afl'ecting to place more confidence in 
its good faith than he probably felt. 

It was now growing late, and the Spaniards quickened 
their march, anxious to reach a favourable ground for 85 
encampment before nightfall. They found such a spot on 
the borders of a stream that rolled sluggishly across the 
plain. A few deserted cottages stood along the banks, and 
the fatigued and famished soldiers ransacked them in quest 
of food. All they could find was some tame animals resembling 90 
dogs. These they killed and dressed without ceremony, and, 
garnishing their unsavoury repast with the fruit of the tuna, 
the Indian fig, which grew wild in the neighbourhood, they 
contrived to satisfy the cravings of appetite. A careful 
watch was maintained by Cortes, and companies of a 95 
hundred men each relieved each other in mounting guard 
through the night. But no attack was made. Hostilities 
by night were contrary to the system of Indian tactics. 

By break of day on the following morning^ it being the 
second of September, the troops were under arms. Besides 100 
the Spaniards, the whole number of Indian auxiliaries m.ight 
now amount to three thousand; for Cortes had gathered 
recruits from the friendly places on his route — three 
hundred from the last. After hearing mass, they resumed 
their march. They moved in close array. The general 105 
had previously admonished the men not to lag behind, or 



70 CONQUEST 05* MEXICO. [iX. 

wander from the ranks a moment, as stragglers would be 
sure to be cut off by their stealthy and vigilant enemy. The 
horsemen rode three abreast, the better to give one another 

llO support ; and Cortes instructed them in the heat of fight to 
keep together, and never to charge singly. He taught them 
how to carry their lances, that they might not be wrested 
from their hands by the Indians, who constantly attempted 
it. For the same reason they should avoid giving thrusts, 

115 but aim their weapons steadily at the faces of their foes. 

They had not proceeded, far when they were met by the 
two remaining Cempoallan envoys, who with looks of terror 
informed the general that they had been treacherously 
seized and confined, in order to be sacrificed at an approach- 

120 ing festival of the Tlascalans, but in the night had succeeded 
in making their escape. They gave the unwelcome tidings 
also that a large force of the natives was already assembled 
to oppose the progress of the Spaniards. 

Soon after they came in sight of a body of Indians, about 

125 a thousand, apparently all armed, and brandishing their 
weapons as the Christians approached in token of defiance. 
Cortes, when he had come within hearing, ordered the inter- 
preters to proclaim that he had no hostile intentions, but 
wished only to be allowed a passage through their country, 

130 which he had entered as a friend. This pacific proclamation 
was met, as usual on such occasions, by a shower of darts, 
stones, and arrows, which fell like rain on the Spaniards, 
rattling on their stout harness, and in some instances pene- 
trating to the skin. Galled by the smart of their wounds, 

135 they called on the general to lead them on, till he sounded 
the well-known battle-cry, "St. Jago, and at them !" 

The Indians maintained their ground for a while with spirit, 
when they retreated with precipitation, but not in disorder. 
The Spaniards, whose blood was heated by the encounter, 

140 followed up their advantage with more zeal than prudence, 
suffering the wily enemy to draw them into a narrow glen 
or defile, intersected by a little stream of water, where the 
broken ground was impracticable for artillery, as well as for 
the movements of cavalry. Pressing forward with eagerness 



IX.] t)ESPERATE BATTLES. 71 

to extricate themselves from their perilous position, to 145 
their great dismay, on turning an abrupt angle of the pass, 
they came in presence of a numerous army choking up the 
gorge of the valley, and stretching far over the plains 
beyond. To the astonished eyes of Cortes they appeared 
a hundred thousand men, while no account estimates them 150 
at less than thirty thousand. 

They presented a confused assemblage of helmets, weapons, 
and many-coloured plumes, glancing bright in the morning 
sun, and mingled with banners, above which proudly floated 
one that bore as a device the heron on a rock. It was the 155 
well-known ensign of the house of Titcala, and, as well as 
the white and yellow stripes on the bodies, and the like 
colours on the feather-mail of the Indians, showed that they 
were the warriors of Xicotencatl. 

As the Spaniards came in sight, the Tlascalans set up a 160 
hideous war-cry, or rather whistle, piercing the ear with its 
shrillness, and which, with the beat of their melancholy 
drums, that could be heard for half a league or more, 
might well have filled the stoutest heart with dismay. This 
formidable host came rolling on towards the Christians, as 165 
if to overwhelm them by their very numbers. But the 
courageous band of warriors, closely serried together and 
sheltered under their strong panoplies, received the shock 
unshaken, while the broken masses of the enemy, chafing 
and heaving tumultuously around them, seemed to recede 170 
only to return with new and accumulated force. 

Cortes, as usual, in the front of danger, in vain endea- 
voured, at the head of the horse, to open a passage for the 
infantry. Still his men, both cavalry and foot, kept their 
array unbroken, offering no assailable point to their foe. A 175 
body of the Tlascalans, however, acting in concert, assaulted 
a soldier named Moran, one of the best riders in the troop. 
They succeeded in dragging him from his horse, which they 
despatched with a thousand blows. The Spaniards, on foot, 
made a desperate effort to rescue their comrade from the 180 
hands of the enemy — and from the horrible doom of the 
captive. A fierce struggle now began over the body of the 



72 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [tX. 

prostrate horse. Ten of the Spaniards were wounded, when 
they succeeded in retrieving the unfortunate cavalier from 

185 his assailants, but in so disastrous a plight that he died on 
the following day. The horse was borne off in triumph by 
the Indians, and his mangled remains were sent, a strange 
trophy, to the different towns of Tlascala. The circumstance 
troubled the Spanish commander, as it divested the animal 

190 of the supernatural terrors with which the superstition of 
the natives had usually surrounded it. To prevent such a 
consequence, he had caused the two horses, killeii on the 
preceding day, to be secretly buried on the spot. 

The enemy now began to give ground gradually, borne 

195 down by the riders, and trampled under the hoofs of their 
horses. Through the whole of this sharp encounter, the 
Indian allies were of great service to the Spaniards. They 
rushed into the water, and grappled their enemies, with the 
desperation of men who felt that " their only safety was in 

200 the despair of safety." " I see nothing but death for us," 
exclaimed a Cempoallan chief to Marina ; "we shall never 
get through the pass alive." "The God of the Christians 
is with us," answerp-d the intrepid woman: "and He will 
carry us safely through." 

205 Amidst the din of battle the voice of Cortes was heard, 
cheering on his soldiers. " If we fail now," he cried, " the 
cross of Christ can never be planted in the land. Forward, 
comrades! When was it ever known that a Castilian turned 
his back on a ioeV Animated by the words and heroic 

210 bearing of their general, the soldiers, with desperate efforts, 
at length succeeded in forcing a passage through the dark 
columns of the enemy, and emerged from the defile on the 
open plain beyond. 

Here they quickly recovered their confidence with their 

215 superiority. The horse soon opened a space for the 
manoeuvres of the artillery. The close files of their 
antagonists presented a sure mark ; and the thunders of the 
ordnance vomiting forth torrents of fire and sulphurous 
smoke, the wide desolation caused in their ranks, and the 

220 strangely mangled carcasses of the slain, filled the barbarians 



IX.] DESPERATE BATTLES. 73 

with consternation and horror. They had no weapons to 
cope with these terrible engines, and their clumsy missiles, 
discharged from uncertain hands, seemed to fall ineffectual 
on the charmed heads of the Christians. What added to 
their embarrassment was the desire to carry off the dead and 225 
wounded from the field, a general practice among the people 
of Anahuac, but which necessarily exposed them while thus 
employed to still greater loss. 

Eight of their principal chiefs had now fallen, and 
Xicotencatl, finding himself wholly unable to make head 230 
against the Spaniards in the open field, ordered a retreat. 
Far from the confusion of a panic-struck mob, so common 
among barbarians, the Tlascalan force moved off the ground 
with all the order of a w^ell-disciplined army. Cortes, as on 
the preceding day, was too well satisfied with his present 235 
advantage to desire to follow it up. It was within an hour 
of sunset, and he was anxious before nightfall to secure a 
good position, where he might refresh his wounded troops, 
and bivouac for the night. 

Gatheiing up his wounded, he held on his way without 240 
loss of time, and before dusk reached a rocky eminence, 
called the hill of Tzompach. It was crowned by a sort of 
tower or temple, the remains of which are still visible. His 
first care was given to the wounded, both men and horses. 
Fortunately an abundance of provisions was found in some 245 
neighbouring cottages, and the soldiers, at least all who were 
not disabled by their injuries, celebrated the victory of the 
day with feasting and rejoicing. 

As to the number of killed or wounded on either side, it 
is matter of loosest conjecture. The Indians must have 250 
suffered severely, but the practice of carrying off the dead 
from the field made it impossible to know to what extent. 
The injury sustained by the Spaniards appears to have been 
principally in the number of their wounded. The great 
object of the natives of Anahuac in their battles was to make 255 
prisoners, who might grace their triumphs, and supply victims 
for sacrifice. To this brutal superstition the Christians were 
indebted, in no slight degree, for their personal preservation. 



CHAPTEE X. 

DECISIVE VICTORY — INDIAN COUNCIL — NIGHT ATTACK— NEGOTIA- 
TIONS WITH THE ENEMY — TLASCALAN HERO. 

1519. 

THE Spaniards were allowed to repose undisturbed the 
following day, and to recruit their strength after the 
fatigue and hard fighting of the preceding. They found 
sufficient employment, however, in repairing and cleaning 
5 their weapons, replenishing their diminished stock of arrows, 
and getting everything in order for further hostilities, should 
the severe lesson they had inflicted on the enemy prove in- 
sufficient to discourage him. On the second day, as Cortes 
received no overtures from the Tlascalans, he determined to 

10 send an embassy to their camp, proposing a cessation of 
hostilities, and expressing his intention to visit their capital 
as a friend. He selected two of the principal chiefs taken 
in the late engagement, as the bearers of the message. 

Meanwhile, averse to leaving his men longer in a dangerous 

15 state of inaction, which the enemy might interpret as the 
residt of timidity or exhaustion, he put himself at the 
head of the cavalry and such light troops as were most fit 
for service, and made a foray into the neighbouring country. 
After a successful inroad he returned laden with forage 

20 and provisions, and driving before him several hundred 
Indian captives. He treated them kindly, however, when 
arrived in camp, endeavouring to make them understand 
that these acts of violence were not dictated by his own 
wishes, but by the unfriendly policy of their countrymen. 

25 In this way he hoped to impress the nation with the con- 
viction of his power on the one hand, and of his amicable 
intentions, if met by them in the like spirit, on the other. 

On reaching his quarters, he found the two envoys re- 
turned from the Tlascalan camp. They had fallen in with 



X.] DECISIVE VICTOKY. 75 

Xicotencatl at about two leagues' distance, where he lay 30 
encamped with a powerful force. The cacique gave them 
audience at the head of his troops. He told them to return 
with the answer, " That the Spaniards might pass on as soon 
as they chose to Tlascala ; and, when they reached it, their 
flesh would be hewn from their bodies, for sacrifice to the 35 
gods ! If they preferred to remain in their own quarters, 
he would pay them a visit there the next day." The am- 
bassadors added, that the chief had an immense force with 
him, consisting of five battalions of ten thousand men each. 
They were the flower of the Tlascalan and Otomie warriors, 40 
assembled under the banners of their respective leaders, by 
command of the senate, who were resolved to try the fortunes 
of the state in a pitched battle, and strike one decisive blow 
for the extermination of the invaders. 

As a battle was now inevitable, Cortes resolved to march 45 
out and meet the enemy in the field. This would have a 
show of confidence, that might serve the double purpose of 
intimidating the Tlascalans, and inspiriting his own men, 
whose enthusiasm might lose somewhat of its heat, if 
compelled to await the assault of their antagonists, inactive in 50 
their own intrenchments. The sun rose bright on the fol- 
lowing morning, the 5th of September, 1519, an eventful 
day in the history of the Spanish Conquest. The general 
reviewed his army, and gave them, preparatory to marching, 
a few words of encouragement and advice. The infantry 55 
he instructed to rely on the point rather than the edge of 
their swords, and to endeavour to thrust their opponents 
through the body. The horsemen were to charge at half 
speed, with their lances aimed at the eyes of the Indians. 
The artillery, the arquebusiers, and crossbowmen, were to 60 
support one another, some loading while others discharged 
their pieces, that there should be an unintermitted firing 
kept up through the action. Above all, they were to main- 
tain their ranks close and unbroken, as on this depended 
their preservation. 65 

They had not advanced a quarter of a league, when they 
came in sight of the Tlascalan army. Its dense array 



76 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [x. 

stretched far and wide over a vast plain or meadow ground, 
about six miles square. Its appearance justified the report 

70 which had been given of its numbers. Nothing could be 
more picturesque than the aspect of these Indian battalions, 
with the naked bodies of the common soldiers gaudily 
painted, the fantastic helmets of the chiefs glittering with 
gold and precious stones, and the glowing panoplies of 

75 feather-work, which decorated their persons. Innumerable 
spears and darts tipped with points of transparent itztli, or 
fiery copper, sparkled bright in the morning sun, while the 
rear of the mighty host was dark with the shadows of 
banners, on which were emblazoned the armorial bearings of 

80 the great Tlascalan and Otomie chieftains. Among these, 
the white heron on the rock, the cognisance of the house of 
Xicotencatl, was conspicuous, and, still more, the golden 
eagle with outspread wings, richly ornamented with emeralds 
and silver work, the great standard of the republic of 

85 Tlascala. 

The common file wore no coverino: except a girdle round 
the loins. Their bodies were painted with the appropriate 
colours of the chieftain whose banner they followed. The 
feather-mail of the higher class of warriors exhibited also 

90 a similar selection of colours for the like object, in the same 
manner as the colour of the tartan indicates the peculiar 
clan of the Highlander. The caciques and principal warriors 
were clothed in a quilted cotton tunic, two inches thick, 
which, fitting close to the body, protected also the thighs 
95 and the shoulders. Over this the wealthier Indians wore 
cuirasses of thin gold plate or silver. Their legs were 
defended by leathern boots or sandals trimmed with gold. 
But the most brilliant part of their costume was a rich 
mantle of the plumaje or feather-work, embroidered with 

100 curious art, and furnishing some resemblance to the gorgeous 
surcoat worn by the European knight over his armour in 
the Middle Ages. This graceful and picturesque dress was 
surmounted by a fantastic head-piece made of Avood or 
leather, representing the head of some wild animal, and 

105 frequently displaying a formidable array of teeth. With 



X.] DECISIVE VICTORY. 77 

this covering the warrior's head was enveloped, producing a 
most grotesque and hideous effect. From the crown floated 
a splendid panache of the richly-variegated plumage of 
the tropics, indicating, by its form and colours, the rank 
and family of the wearer. To complete their defensive 110 
armour, they carried shields or targets, made sometimes of 
wood covered with leather, but more usually of a light frame 
of reeds quilted with cotton, which were preferred, as 
tougher and less liable to fracture than the former. They 
had other bucklers, in which the cotton was covered witli an nr. 
elastic substance, enabling them to be shut up in a more 
compact form, like a fan or umbrella. These shields were 
decorated with showy ornaments, according to the taste 
or wealth of the wearer, and fringed with a beautiful 
pendant of featherwork. , 120 

Their weapons were slings, bows and arrows, javelins, 
and darts. They were accomplished archers, and would 
discharge two or even three arrows at a time. But they 
most excelled in throwing the javelin. One species of this, 
with a thong attached to it, which remained in the slinger's 125 
hand, that he might recall the weapon, was especially 
dreaded by the Spaniards. These various weapons were 
pointed with bone, or the mineral itztll (obsidian), a hard 
vitreous substance, as capable of taking an edge like a 
razor, though easily blunted. Their spears and arrows were 130 
also frequently headed with copper. Instead of a sword, 
they bore a two-handed staff, about three feet and a half 
long, in which, at regular distances, were inserted, trans- 
versely, sharp blades of itztli — a formidable weapon, which 
an eye-witness assures us he had seen fell a horse at a blow. 135 

As soon as the Castilians came in sight, the Tlascalans 
set up their yell of defiance, rising high above the wild 
barbaric minstrelsy of shell and trumpet, with which they 
proclaimed their triumphant anticipations of victory over 
the paltry forces of the invaders. When the latter had 140 
come within bowshot, the Indians hurled a tempest of 
missiles, that darkened the sun for a moment as with a 
passing cloud, strewing the earth around with heaps of 



78 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [X. 

stones and arrows. Slowly and steadily the little band 

145 of Spaniards held on its way amidst this arrowy shower, 
until it had reached what appeared the proper distance for 
delivering its fire with full effect. Cortes then halted, and 
hastily forming his troops opened a general well-directed 
fire along the whole line. Every shot bore its errand of 

150 death ; and the ranks of the Indians were mowed down 
faster than their comrades in the rear could carry off their 
bodies, according to custom, from the field. The balls in 
their passage through the crowded files, bearing splinters of 
the broken harness and mangled limbs of the warriors, 

155 scattered havoc and desolation in their path. The mob of 
barbarians stood petrified with dismay, till at length, 
galled to desperation by their intolerable suffering, they 
poured forth simultaneously their hideous war-shriek, and 
rushed impetuously on the Christians. 

160 On they came like an avalanche, or mountain torrent, 
shaking the solid earth, and sweeping away every obstacle 
in its path. The little army of Spaniards opposed a bold 
front to the overwhelming mass. But no strength could 
withstand it. They faltered, gave way, were borne along 

165 before it, and their ranks were broken and thrown into 
disorder. It was in vain the general called on them to close 
again and rally. His voice was drowned by the din of fight 
and the fierce cries of the assailants. For a moment, it 
seemed that all was lost. The tide of battle had turned 

170 against them, and the fate of the Christians was sealed. 

But every man had that within his bosom, which spoke 
louder than the voice of the general. Despair gave un- 
natural energy to his arm. The naked body of the Indian 
afforded no resistance to the sharp Toledo steel; and with 

175 their good swords, the Spanish infantry at length succeeded 
in staying the human torrent. The heavy guns from a 
distance thundered on the flank of the assailants, which, 
shaken by the iron tempest, was thrown into disorder. Their 
very numbers increased the confusion, as they were precipi- 

J80 tated on the masses in front. The horse at the same 
moment, charging gallantly under Qortes, followed up the 



X.] INDIAN COUNCIL. 79 

advantage, and at length compelled the tumultuous throng 
to fall back with greater precipitation and disorder than 
that with which they had advanced. 

Cortes, thinking the occasion favourable, followed up the 185 
important blow he had struck by a new mission to the 
capital, bearing a message of similar import with that 
recently sent to the camp. But the senate was not yet 
sufficiently humbled. The late defeat caused, indeed, general 
consternation. Maxixcatzin, one of the four great lords 190 
who presided over the republic, reiterated with greater force 
the arguments before urged by him for embracing the 
proffered alliance of the strangers. The armies of the state 
had been beaten too often to allow any reasonable hope of 
successful resistance ; and he enlarged on the generosity 195 
shown by the politic Conqueror to his prisoners — so unusual 
in Anahuac — as an additional motive for an alliance with 
men who knew how to be friends as well as foes. 

But in these views he was overruled by the war-party, 
whose animosity was sharpened, rather than subdued, by the 200 
late discomfiture. Their hostile feelings were further ex- 
asperated by the younger Xicotencatl, who burned for an 
opportunity to retrieve his disgrace, and to wipe away the 
stain which had fallen for the first time on the arms of the 
republic. 205 

In their perplexity, they called in the assistance of the 
priests, whose authority was frequently invoked in the 
deliberations of the American chiefs. The latter inquired, 
with some simplicity, of these interpreters of fate, whether 
the strangers were supernatural beings, or men of flesh and 210 
blood like themselves. The priests, after some consultation, 
are said to have made the strange answer, that the 
Spaniards, though not gods, were children of the Sun; that 
they derived their strength from that luminary, and, when 
his beams were withdrawn, their powers would also fail. 215 
They recommended a night attack, therefore, as one which 
afforded the best chance of success. 

The affair was conducted with such secrecy that it did not 
reach th6 ears of the Spaniards. But their general was not 



80 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [X. 

220 one who allowed himself, sleeping or waking, to be surprised 
on his post. Fortunately the night appointed was illumined 
by the full beams of an autumnal moon; and one of the 
videttes perceived by its light, at a considerable distance, a 
large body of Indians moving towards the Christian lines. 

225 He was not slow in giving the alarm to the garrison. 

The Spaniards slept with their arms by their side ; while 
their horses, picketed near them, stood ready saddled, with 
the bridle hanging at the bow. In five minutes the whole 
camp was under arms ; when they beheld the dusky columns 

230 of the Indians cautiously advancing over the plain, their 
heads just peering above the tall maize with which the land 
was partially covered. Cortes determined not to abide the 
assault in his intrenchments, but to sally out and pounce on 
the enemy when he had reached the bottom of the hill. 

235 Slowly and stealthily the Indians advanced, while the 
Christian camp, hushed in profound silence, seemed to them 
buried in slumber. But no sooner had they reached the 
slope of the rising ground, than they were astounded by the 
deep battle-cry of the Spaniards, followed by the instanta- 

240 neous apparition of the whole army, as they sallied forth 
from the works, and poured down the sides of the hill. 
Brandishing aloft their weapons, they seemed to the troubled 
fancies of the Tlascalans, like so many spectres or demons 
hurrying to and fro in mid air, while the uncertain light 

245 magnified their numbers, and expanded the horse an(i his 
rider into gigantic and unearthly dimensions. 

Scarcely waiting the shock of their enemy, the panic- 
struck barbarians let off a feeble volley of arrows, and, 
offering no other resistance, fled rapidly and tumultuously 

250 across the plain. The horse easily overtook the fugitives, 

riding them down and cutting them to pieces without mercy, 

until Cortes, weary with slaughter, called off his men, 

leaving the field loaded with the bloody trophies of victory. 

The next day, the Spanish commander with his usual 

255 policy after a decisive blow had been struck, sent a new 
embassy to the Tlascalan capital. 

The envoys obtained respectful audience from the council 



X] NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ENEMY. 81 

of Tlascala, whom they found plunged in deep dejection by 
their recent reverses. The failure of the night attack had 
extinguished every spark of hope in their bosoms. Their 260 
armies had been beaten again and again, in the open field 
and in secret ambush. Stratagem and courage, all their 
resources, had alike proved ineffectual against a foe whose 
hand was never weary, and whose eye was never closed. 
Nothing remained but to submit. They selected four prin- 265 
cipal caciques, whom they intrusted with a mission to the 
Christian camp. They were to assure the strangers of a 
free passage through the country, and a friendly reception 
in the capital. The proffered friendship of the Spaniards 
was cordially embraced, with many awkward excuses for 270 
the past. The envoys were to touch at the Tlascalan camp 
on their way, and inform Xicotencatl of their proceedings. 
They were to require him, at the same time, to abstain from 
all further hostilities, and to furnish the white men with an 
ample supply of provisions. 275 

But the Tlascalan deputies, on arriving at the quarters 
of that chief, did not find him in the humour to comply 
with these instructions. His repeated collisions with the 
Spaniards, or, it may be, his constitutional courage, left 
him inaccessible to the vulgar terrors of his countrymen. 280 
He regarded the strangers not as supernatural beings, but 
as men like himself. The animosity of a warrior had 
rankled into a deadly hatred from the mortifications he had 
endured at their hands, and his head teemed with plans for 
recovering his fallen honours, and for taking vengeance on 285 
the invaders of his country. He refused to disband any of 
the force, still formidable, under his command, or to send 
supplies to the enemy's camp. He further induced the 
ambassadors to remain in his quarters, and relinquish their 
visit to the Spaniards. The latter, in consequence, were 290 
kept in ignorance of the movements in their favour which 
had taken place in the Tlascalan capital. 



CHAPTER XI. 



TLASCALAN SPIES — PEACE WITH THE REPUBLIC — EMBASSY FROM 
MONTEZUMA — SPANIARDS ENTER TLASCALA — INVITED TO CHOLULA. 







1519. 

N the following morning the camp was surprised by the 
appearance of a small body of Tlascalans, decorated 
with badges, the white colour of which intimated peace. 
They brought a quantity of provisions, and some trifling 

5 ornaments, which they said were sent by the Tlascalan 
general, who was weary of the war, and desired an accom- 
modation with the Spaniards. He would soon present 
himself to arrange this in person. The intelligence diffused 
general joy, and the emisssaries received a friendly welcome. 

10 A day or two elapsed, and while a few of the party left 
the Spanish quarters, the others, about fifty in number, who 
remained, excited some distrust in the bosom of Marina. 
She communicated her suspicions to Cortes that they were 
spies. He caused several of them, in consequence, to be 

15 arrested, examined them separately, and ascertained that 
they were employed by Xicotencatl to inform him of the 
state of the Christian camp, preparatory to a meditated 
assault, for which he was mustering his forces. Cortes, 
satisfied of the truth of this, determined to make such an 

20 example of the delinquents as should intimidate his enemy 
from repeating the attempt. He ordered their hands to be 
cut off, and in that condition sent them back to their 
countrymen, with the message, " that the Tlascalans might 
come by day or night ; they would find the Spaniards ready 

25 for them." 

The doleful spectacle of their comrades returning in this 
mutilated state filled the Indian camp with horror and 
consternation. The haughty crest of their chief was 



XI.] PEACE WITH THE REPUBLIC. 83 

humbled. From that moment he lost his wonted buoyancy 
and confidence. His soldiers, filled with superstitious fear, 30 
refused to serve longer against a foe who could read their 
very thoughts, and divine their plans before they were Tipe 
for execution. 

All thoughts of further resistance being abandoned, the 
four delegates of the Tlascalan republic were now allowed 35 
to proceed on their mission. They were speedily followed 
by Xicotencatl himself, attended by a numerous train of 
military retainers. As they drew near the Spanish lines 
they were easily recognised by the white and yellow colours 
of their uniforms, the livery of the house of Titcala. The 40 
joy of the army was great at this sure intimation of the 
close of hostilities; and it was with difficulty that Cortes 
was enabled to restore the men to tranquillity, and the 
assumed indifference which it was proper to maintain in 
presence of an enemy. 45 

The Spaniards gazed with curious eye on the valiant 
chief who had so long kept his enemies at bay, and who 
now advanced with the firm and fearless step of one who 
was coming rather to bid defiance than to sue for peace. 
He was rather above the middle size, with broad shoulders, 50 
and a muscular frame intimating great activity and strength. 
His head was large, and his countenance marked with the 
lines of hard service rather than of age, for he was but 
thirty-five. When he entered the presence of Cortes he 
made the usual salutation by touching the ground with his 55 
hand, and carrying it to his head ; while the sweet incense 
of aromatic gums rolled up in clouds from the censers carried 
by his slaves. 

Far from a pusillanimous attempt to throw the blame on 
the senate, he assumed the whole responsibility of the war. 60 
He had considered the white men, he said, as enemies, for 
they came with the allies and vassals of Montezuma. He 
loved his country, and wished to preserve the independence 
which she had maintained through her long wars with the 
Aztecs. He had been beaten. They might be the strangers, 65 
who, it had been so long predicted, would come from the 



84 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [xi. 

east, to take possession of the country. He hoped they 
would use their victory with moderation, and not trample 
on the liberties of the republic. He came now in the name 

70 of his nation, to tender their obedience to the Spaniards, 
assuring them they would find his countrymen as faithful in 
peace as they had been firm in war. 

Cortes, far from taking umbrage, was filled with admira- 
tion at the lofty spirit which thus disdained to stoop beneath 

75 misfortunes. The brave man knows how to respect bravery 
in another. He assumed, however, a severe aspect, as he 
rebuked the chief for having so long persisted in hostilities. 
Had Xicotencatl believed the word of the Spaniards, and 
accepted their proffered friendship sooner, he would have 

80 spared his people much suffering, which they well merited 
by their obstinacy. But it was impossible, continued the 
general, to retrieve the past. He was willing to bury it in 
oblivion, and to receive the Tlascalans as vassals to the 
emperor, his master. If they proved true, they should find 

85 him a sure column of support ; if false, he would take such 
vengeance on them as he had intended to take on their 
capital, had they not speedily given in their submission. 
It proved an ominous menace for the chief to whom it was 
addressed. 

90 The cacique then ordered his slaves to bring forward 
some trifling ornaments of gold and feather embroidery, 
designed as presents. They were of little value, he said, 
with a smile, for the Tlascalans were poor. They had little 
gold, not even cotton, nor salt ; the Aztec emperor had left 

95 them nothing but their freedom and their arms. He offered 
this gift only as a token of his good-will. "As such I 
receive it," answered Cortes, "and, coming from the Tlas- 
calans, set more value on it than I should from any other 
source, though it were a house full of gold " ; a politic, as 
100 well as magnanimous reply, for it was by the aid of this 
good-will that he was to win the gold of Mexico. 

Thus ended the bloody war with the fierce republic of 
Tlascala, during the course of which, the fortunes of the 
Spaniards, more than once, had trembled in the balance. 



XI.] EMBASSY FROM MONTEZUMA. 85 

While the Tlascalans were still in the camp, an embassy 105 
was announced from Montezuma. Tidings of the exploits 
of the Spaniards had spread far and wide over the plateau. 
The emperor, in particular, had watched every step of their 
progress, as they climbed the steeps of the Cordilleras, and 
advanced over the broad table-land on their summit. He 110 
had seen them, with great satisfaction, take the road to 
Tlascala, trusting that, if they were mortal men, they would 
find their graves there. Great was his dismay, when courier 
after courier brought him intelligence of their successes, 
and that the most redoubtable warriors on the plateau had 115 
been scattered like chaff by the swords of this handful of 
strangers. 

His superstitious fears returned in full force. He saw in 
the Spaniards "the men of destiny" who were to take 
possession of his sceptre. In his alarm and uncertainty, 120 
he sent a new embassy to the Christian camp. It consisted 
of five great nobles of his court, attended by a train of two 
hundred slaves. They brought with them a present, as 
usual, dictated partly by fear, and, in part, by the natural 
munificence of his disposition. It consisted of three thou- 125 
sand ounces of gold, in grains, or in various manufactured 
articles, with several hundred mantles and dresses of embroi- 
dered cotton, and the picturesque feather-work. As they 
laid these at the feet of Cortes, they told him, they had 
come to offer the congratulations of their master on the late 130 
victories of the white men. The emperor only regretted 
that it would not be in his power to receive them in his 
capital, where the numerous population was so imruly, that 
their safety would be placed in jeopardy. The mere intima- 
tion of the Aztec emperor's wishes, in the most distant way, 135 
would have sufficed with the Indian nations. It had very 
little weight with the Spaniards ; and the envoys, finding 
this puerile expression of them ineffectual, resorted to another 
argument, offering a tribute in their master's name to the 
Castilian sovereign, provided the Spaniards would relinquish 140 
their visit to his capital. 

Cortes, while he urged his own sovereign's commands as 



86 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [xl. 

a reason for disregarding the wishes of Montezuma, uttered 
expressions of the most profound respect for the Aztec prince, 

145 and declared that if he had not the means of requiting his 
munificence, as he could wish, at present, he trusted to repay 
him, at some future day, with good worhs ! 

Two of the Aztec mission returned to Mexico, to acquaint 
their sovereign with the state of affairs in the Spanish camp. 

150 The others remained with the army, Cortes being willing 
that they should be personal spectators of the deference 
shown him by the Tlascalans. Still he did not hasten his 
departure for their capital. Not that he placed reliance on 
the injurious intimations of the Mexicans respecting their 

155 good faith. Yet he was willing to put this to some longer 
trial, and, at the same time, to re-establish his own health 
more thoroughly, before his visit. Meanwhile, messengers 
daily arrived from the city, pressing his journey, and were 
finally followed by some of the aged rulers of the republic, 

160 attended by a numerous retinue, impatient of his long delay. 
They brought with them a body of five hundred tamanes^ 
or men of burden, to drag his cannon, and relieve his own 
forces from this fatiguing part of their duty. It was im- 
possible to defer his departure longer ; and after mass, and 

165 a solemn thanksgiving to the great Being who had crowned 
their arms with triumph, the Spaniards bade adieu to the 
quarters which they had occupied for nearly three weeks on 
the hill of Tzompach. The strong tower, or teocalli, which 
commanded it, was called, in commemoration of their resi- 

170 dence, "The Tower of Victory;" and the few stones which 
still survive of its ruins, point out to the eye of the traveller 
a spot ever memorable in history for the courage and con- 
stancy of the early Conquerors. 

The city of Tlascala, the capital of the republic of the 

175 same name, lay at the distance of about six leagues from 
the Spanish camp. As they advanced, the approach to a 
populous city was intimated by the crowds who flocked out 
to see and welcome the strangers ; men and women in their 
picturesque dresses, with bunches and wreaths of roses, 

180 which they gave to the Spaniards, or fastened to the necks 



xl] description of tlascala. 87 

and caparisons of their horses, in the same manner as at 
Cempoalla. Priests, with their white robes, and long matted 
tresses floating over them, mingled in the crowd, scattering 
volumes of incense from their burning censers. In this 
way, the multitudinous and motley procession defiled through 185 
the gates of the ancient capital of Tlascala. It was the 
twenty-third of September, 1519, the anniversary of which 
is still celebrated by the inhabitants as a day of jubilee. 

The press was now so great, that it was with difficulty 
the police of the city could clear a passage for the army ; 190 
while the azoteas, or flat-terraced roofs of the buildings, 
were covered with spectators, eager to catch a glimpse of 
the wonderful strangers. The houses were hung with 
festoons of flowers, and arches of verdant boughs, inter- 
twined with roses and honeysuckle, were thrown across the 195 
streets. The whole population abandoned itself to rejoicing; 
and the air was rent with songs and shouts of triumph 
mingled with the wild music of the national instruments, 
that might have excited apprehensions in the breasts of the 
soldiery, had they not gathered their peaceful import from 200 
the assurance of Marina, and the joyous countenances of the 
natives. 

With these accompaniments, the procession moved along 
the principal streets to the mansion of Xicotencatl, the aged 
father of the Tlascalan general, and one of the four rulers 205 
of the republic. Cortes dismounted from his horse, to 
receive the old chieftain's embrace. He was nearly blind ; 
and satisfied, as far as he could, a natural curiosity respecting 
the person of the Spanish general, by passing his hand over 
his features. He then led the way to a spacious hall in his 210 
palace, where a banquet was served to the army. In the 
evening they were shown to their quarters, in the buildings 
and open ground surrounding one of the principal teocallis ; 
while the Mexican ambassadors, at the desire of Cortes, had 
apartments assigned them next to his own, that he might 215 
the better watch over their safety, in this city of their 
enemies. 

Some days were given by the Spaniards to festivity, in 



88 COKQIJEST OF MEXICO. [xl. 

220 which they were successively entertained at the hospitable 
boards of the four great nobles, in their several quarters of 
the city. Amidst these friendly demonstrations, however, 
the general never relaxed for a moment his habitual 
vigilance, or the strict discipline of the camp ; and he was 

225 careful to provide for the security of the citizens by pro- 
hibiting, under severe penalties, any soldier from leaving 
his quarters without express permission. Indeed, the 
severity of his discipline provoked the remonstrance of 
more than one of his officers, as a superfluous caution ; and 

230 the Tlascalan chiefs took some exception at it, as inferring 
an unreasonable distrust of them. But when Cortes 
explained it, as in obedience to an established military 
system, they testified their admiration, and the ambitious 
young general of the republic proposed to introduce it, 

235 if possible, into his own ranks. 

While these events were passing, another embassy arrived 
from the court of Mexico. It was charged, as usual, with 
a costly donative of embossed gold plate, and rich embroid- 
ered stuffs of cotton and feather- work. The terms of the 

240 message might well argue a vacillating and timid temper in 
the monarch, did they not mask a deeper policy. He now 
invited the Spaniards to his capital, with the assurance of a 
cordial welcome. He besought them to enter into no 
alliance with the base and barbarous Tlascalans; and he 

245 invited them to take the route of the friendly city of 
Cholula, where arrangements, according to his orders, were 
made for their reception. 

The Tlascalans viewed with deep regret the general's 
proposed visit to Mexico. Their reports fully confirmed all 

250 he had before heard of the power and ambition of Monte- 
zuma. His armies, they said, were spread over every part 
of the continent. His capital was a place of great strength, 
and as, from its insular position, all communication could be 
easily cut off with the adjacent country, the Spaniards, 

255 once entrapped there, would be at his mercy. His policy, 
they represented, was as insidious as his ambition was 
boundless. *' Trust not his fair words," they said, "his 



XI.] INVITED TO CHOLFLA. 89 

courtesies, and his gifts. His professions are hollow, and 
his friendships are false." When Cortes remarked, that he 
hoped to bring about a better understanding between the 260 
emperor and ihsin, they replied, It would be impossible; 
however smool h his words, he would hate them at heart. 

They warmly protested, also, against the general's taking 
the route of Cholula. The inhabitants, not brave in the 
open field, were more dangerous from their perfidy and 265 
craft. They were Montezuma's tools, and would do his 
bidding. The Tlascalans further reminded Cortes, that 
while so many other and distant places had sent to him at 
Tlascala, to testify their good will, and offer their allegiance 
to his sovereign, Cholula, only six leagues distant, had done 270 
neither. The last suggestion struck the general more forcibly 
than any of the preceding. He instantly despatched a 
summons to the city, requiring a formal tender of its 
submission. 

It was not long before deputies arrived from Cholula, 275 
profuse in their expressions of good-will, and inviting the 
presence of the Spaniards in their capital. The messengers 
were of low degree, far beneath the usual rank of ambassadors. 
This was pointed out by the Tlascalans ; and Cortes regarded 
it as a fresh indignity. He sent in consequence a new 280 
summons, declaring, if they did not instantly send him a 
deputation of their principal men, he would deal with them 
as rebels to his own sovereign, the rightful lord of these 
realms ! The menace had the desired effect. The Cholulans 
were not inclined to contest, at least for the present, his 285 
magnificent pretensions. Another embassy appeared in the 
camp, consisting of some of the highest nobles; who 
repeated the invitation for the Spaniards to visit their city, 
and excused their own tardy appearance by apprehensions 
for their personal safety in the capital of their enemies. 290 
The explanation was plausible, and was admitted by Cortes. 

The Tlascalans were now more than ever opposed to his 
projected visit. A strong Aztec force, they had ascertained, 
lay in the neighbourhood of Cholula, and the people were 
actively placing their city in a posture of defence. They 300 



90 ' CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [XI. 

suspected some insidious scheme concerted by Montezuma 
to destroy the Spaniards. 

These suggestions disturbed the mind of Cortes, but did 
not turn him from his purpose. He felt a natural curiosity 

305 to see the venerable city so celebrated in the history of the 
Indian nations. He had, besides, gone too far to recede — 
too far, at least, to do so without a show of apprehension, 
implying a distrust in his own resources, which could not 
fail to have a bad efifect on his enemies, his allies, and his 

310 own men. After a brief consultation with his officers, he 
decided on the route to Cholula. 

It was now three weeks since the Spaniards had taken up 
their residence within the hospitable walls of Tlascala ; and 
nearly six since they entered her territory. They had been 

315 met on the threshold as an enemy, with the most determined 
hostility. They were now to part with the same people, as 
friends and allies ; fast friends, who were to stand by them, 
side by side, through the whole of their arduous struggle. 
The result of their visit, therefore, was of the last import- 

320 ance ; since on the co-operation of these brave and warlike 
republicans, greatly depended the ultimate success of the 
expedition. 



NOTES 



I. 24 Malaria. It is generally understood to mean an actual 
poisonous substance (the existence of which is not proved), which gives 
rise to unhealthy states of the body, such as ague, intermittent fever, 
jungle fever, &c. Sometimes malaria means the disease itself. It 
lurks in marshy places, especially after heavy rains, and during the 
autumn. 

35 Vanilla. Vanilla is made from the fermented and dried pods of 
several species of orchids. These plants have a long fleshy stem, and 
attach themselves by thin rootlets to trees, and appear to be little 
dependent on the soil for nourishment. The Aztecs made use of vanilla, 
as we do, for flavouring their food and drink. 

Indigo. A valuable blue dyeing material. There are several 
plants from which indigo may be prepared. It is, however, in the 
leaves of all that the indigo principle chiefly resides. The fresh-cut 
leaves and stem are tied up in small bundles, and conveyed to the 
factory. They are first placed in a fermenting vat for some ten hours. 
At the end of this stage the water is of a fine yellow colour, and is, in 
this condition, run off into other vats. Here a number of men lash the 
water with long bamboos, to keep it in agitation. Gradually the liquid 
assumes a greenish colour, and indigo appears in broad flakes, which 
sink to the bottom. The water is then strained off", and the indigo 
boiled, to prevent further fermentation. After boiling it is strained, 
pressed into a paste, and formed in cakes for exportation. 

37 Banana (bread fruit). A gigantic tree, formerly only found in 
the tropical Indies, but now cultivated in all tropical climes. It forms 
a spurious kind of stem, rising fifteen to twenty feet, by sheathing the 
bases of the leaves, the blades of which measure as much as ten feet in 
length by two across. The stem bears several clusters of fruit, resem- 
bling cucumbers in form and size. The fruit is extensively used as food, 
and in many of the Pacific islands it is the staple of food, as the potato 
is to the Irishman. 

74 Puritan ancestors. In 1620 the Independent refugees (Brownists), 
who had been driven in Elizabeth's reign to Amsterdam, determined to 
quit Holland, and find a home in the wilds of the New World. Forty- 
one emigrants and their families embarked on the Mayflower^ and 



92 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll- 

landed on the barren coast of Massachusetts, at a spot to which they 
gave the name of Plymouth. From the moment of their establishment 
the eyes of the English Puritans were fixed on the little settlement in 
North America. The sanction of the Crown was needed to raise it 
into a colony ; and the aid which the merchants of Boston, in Lincoln- 
shire, gave to the realization of this project was acknowledged in the 
name of the capital. Prescott writes as a Bostonian. 

80 Porphyritic. Porphyritic rocks are rocks through which crystals, 
commonly of feldspar, are scattered. These crystals are of various 
colours — often white. There are also green, red, and purple varieties, 
which are highly esteemed as marbles. 

90 Anahuac. The word Anahuac signifies "near the water." It 
was probably first applied to the country around the lakes in Mexico, 
and afterwards extended to the whole dominion of the Aztecs. 

II. 3 The numerous states . . . were consolidated into one monarchy. 
Granada was wrested from the Moors ; Leon, Castile, and Aragon 
were united by the marriage of Ferdinand to Isabella. Navarre, in 
the north, alone remained independent. 

17 That literature, which was to ripen into so 7'ich a harvest^ before 
the end of the century. Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Quevedo, some of 
the greatest names in Spanish literature, belong rather to the sixteenth 
than to the fifteenth century. In the fifteenth century literature suffered 
much from the oppression of the Inquisition. 

88 Hidalgo. A nobleman of the lower order, from the Spanish 
words *Hijo de Algo,' the son of somebody; i.e. a man whose 
ancestry could be traced. 

142 Large stone crosses. Cortes, on his journey through Mexico, was 
frequently met by these emblems. He took advantage of this to erect 
crosses for the worship of the inhabitants at various places. The probable 
explanation of the existence of the cross as a symbol of worship among 
pagan nations of the New World is as follows : The arms of the cross 
were designed to point to the cardinal points, and represent the four 
winds — ' the rain bringers.' Hence the name given to it in the Mexican 
language, signifying "Tree of our Life." 

183 Caravel. A kind of light round vessel, much used in those days 
by the Spanish and Portuguese, It was rigged like a galley, and of not 
more than a hundred tons in burden. 

III. 2 Estremadttra. A district in the west of Spain, bounded by 
Portugal on the west, Seville and Cordova on the south, Salamanca on 
the north, Toledo and La Mancha on the east. 

8 Salamanca. By far the most famous university town in Spain in 
the sixteenth century, founded by Ferdinand II. Civil and canon law 
were the chief branches of study. 



IV] 



NOTES. 93 



33 Repartimiento. The Indians were divided, and assigned with a 
portion of land to each of these settlers as slaves. This custom of 
repartimiento was strongly opposed by Las Casas and the more humane 
of the conquerors. 

165 Arquebusiers. The arquebus was the old species of firearm 
resembling a musket, and supported by a forked rest when in use. 

IV. 60 Lineaments of Satan. The following description of an 
image of the Mexican war-god, still preserved in the Museum of 
Mexico, may serve to explain the horror with which the Christians 
regarded these idols : The war-god exults in the name of Huitzilopochtlij 
and is as ugly as it is curious. The idol does not represent any human 
figure, or even any approach to one ; it is sculptured on all sides, and 
shows in the centre, both in front and on the back, a death's-head, 
encircled by human hands in all manner of positions. The rest of it is 
a fantastic combination of snakes, feathers, and other appendages. 

66 Polemic. (Greek iroXefiLKos. ) One who writes or speaks in support 
of a system in opposition to another — a controversialist. 

94 Aguilar. He had been wrecked with several companions eight 
years before on the coast of Gueatan. After suffering incredible hard- 
ships he was left the only survivor. The others had either perished 
from hunger, or had been sacrificed by the cannibal natives. He 
gradually became a great man among the Indians, and only the large- 
ness of the ransom offered induced the chief of the tribe to let him go. 

121 The baulks were thickly stiidded with mangrove trees. A traveller 
of modern times describes the shore as almost completely enclosed by 
mangrove jungle, which overruns the banks, and creates numerous 
islets by its growth where the water is shallowest. " It is not," he says, 
"the large species with giant stem and monster roots, but a small 
shrub-like kind, so closely tangled as to form a solid mass ; while its 
sinuous roots, by their mutual coils and circles, surpass the strongest 
wickerwork in consistency." 

165 Royal Council. The Spanish colonial administration was under 
the immediate charge of two great tribunals, the Council of the Indies 
and the India House at Seville. It was their business to further the 
progress of discovery, to watch over the infant settlements, and to 
adjust disputes which grew up in them. 

192 Las Casas. The protector and historian of the Indies. On the 
occupation of Cuba, Las Casas passed over to that island, and obtained 
a cui'acy in a small settlement. He devoted his time to teaching the 
Indians, and endeavouring to ameliorate their lot, and indeed from this 
time consecrated all his energies to this latter great object. In spite of 
the strongest opposition he succeeded in getting a new code of laws 
passed, having for its avowed object the enfranchisement of the native 
inhabitants — laws, however, which the opposition of the colonist^ 



94 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [V- 

rendered fruitless. His chief works are : First, A General History of 
the Indies ; second, A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies. 
In the latter he depicts most vividly the miseries of the Indians, and 
denounces the cruelty of his countrymen. The book vi^as translated 
speedily into other languages, and created a widespread feeling of indig- 
nation against Spanish cruelty. (See Kingsley's Westward Hoi p. 4.) 

271 Cacao (cocoa). The common cacao tree is of small stature; the 
leaves are small, smooth, and glossy, growing chiefly at the end of the 
branches. The flowers are small, and occur in numerous clusters on 
the main branches and the trunk — a peculiarity which gives the ripe 
fruit the appearance of being artificially attached to the tree. When 
ripe, the fruit or pod is oval in form, and from seven to ten inches long. 
Each pod contains thirty or forty seeds, which constitute the cocoa bean 
of commerce. Bags of cacao, containing a specified number of grains, 
were part of the regular currency of the Aztecs. 

389 Savannas. Extensive plains of grass, affording pasturage in the 
rainy season, and with few shrubs growing on them. 

V. 24 Pirogue. A canoe formed out of the trunk of a tree. 
72 Montezuma. He had been king for thirteen years, and owed his 
election, in preference to his brothers, to his superior qualifications 
both as a soldier and a priest. When his election was announced to 
him he was found sweeping down the stairs in the great temple of the 
national war-god. He received the messengers with a becoming 
humility, professing his unfitness for so responsible a station. In the 
first years of his reign he was constantly engaged in war, and the Aztec 
banners were seen in the farthest provinces of the gulf of Mexico. 
Meanwhile he was not inattentive to the internal concerns of the 
kingdom. He improved the administration of justice, and strictly 
enforced the execution of the laws. He showed a munificent spirit in 
his public works, constructing temples, bringing water into the capital 
by a new channel, and establishing hospitals. In spite of these acts, 
worthy of a great prince, he was not popular with his subjects, owing 
to his pride and arrogance, while the heavy imposition of taxes de- 
manded by his lavish expenditure still further alienated their affections. 

167 Featherwork. The art in which the Mexicans most delighted 
was their ' plumaje ' or featherwork. With this they could produce 
all the effects of a beautiful mosaic. The gorgeous plumage of the 
tropical birds, especially of the parrot tribe, afforded every variety of 
colour ; and the fine down of the humming bird supplied them with 
soft tints which gave an exquisite finish to the picture. The feathers, 
pasted on a fine cotton web, were wrought into dresses, hangings for 
apartments, and ornaments for the temples. 

183 Quetzalcoatl. The god of the air, who during his residence on 
earth instructed the natives in the use of metals and in the arts of 
government. Under him the earth teemed with fruits and flowers. 



■V] 



NOTES. 95 



without the pains of culture. Those were the days of the golden age 
of Anahuac. From some cause, not explained, Quetzalcoatl incurred 
the wrath of one of the principal gods, and was compelled to abandon 
the country. On his way he stopped at the city of Cholula, where a 
temple was dedicated to his worship. When he reached the shores of 
the Mexican Gulf, he took leave of his followers, promising that he 
and his descendants would revisit them hereafter, and then, entering 
his wizard skiff, made of serpents' skins, embarked on the great ocean 
for the fabled land of Tlapallan. The day of his return was looked 
forward to with great confidence throughout the wide borders of 
Anahuac, and a general feeling seems to have prevailed in the time ot 
Montezuma that the full accomplishment of the promise was near at 
hand. This tradition prepared the way for the future success of the 
Spaniards. 

200 Fichire writing. There are three stages of picture wrhing. 
1st. The mere depiciing of a visible object, as here, the faithful repre- 
sentation of the ' water houses.' 2nd. The object of the painter may 
be no longer limited to the present ; he is writing for future generations, 
and has to depict for them the life of the past. The literal imitation 
of objects will not answer for this more extended plan ; it would 
occupy too much space and time. The pictures must be abridged, 
merely the outline and prominent parts given. This may be called 
figtiraiive wf-iting. 3rd. Visible objects are no longer to be dealt with, 
but abstract ideas which have to be represented by visible objects as 
their symbols. For example, a serpent with the Aztecs stood as the 
symbol for time. This third stage may be called symbolical writing. 
The Aztecs used all these three stages, but more especially the figura- 
tive. In casting the eye over a Mexican manuscript, one is struck 
with the grotesque caricatures it exhibits of the human figure — 
monstrous overgrown heads on puny misshapen bodies. On closer 
examination one sees that those parts of the body are most distinctly 
traced which are the most important. So, also, the colouring exhibits 
only gaudy and violent contrasts ; " for even colours speak in the 
Aztec hieroglyphics." The Aztecs had various emblems for expressing 
such things as could not be directly represented by the painter. A 
tongue denoted 'speaking'; a footprint, 'travelhng'; a man sitting 
on the ground, ' an earthquake.' 

241 Posts. Communication was maintained with the remotest part 
of the country by means of couriers. Post-houses were established on 
the great roads about two leagues distant from each other. The courier, 
bearing his despatches in the form of a ' painting,' ran with them to the 
first station, where they were taken by a second ; and so on until the 
capital was reached. So fast did the couriers travel, that despatches 
were carried from 100 to 200 miles a day. Fresh fish was frequently 
served at Montezuma's table in twenty-four hours from the time it had 
beei> taken in t}ie Gulf of Mexico, 200 mil^s from the capital, 



96 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VI- 

265 Panache. The helmets of the Mexicans were sometimes of wood 
fashioned like the heads of wild animals, sometimes of silver, on the 
top of which waved a panache of variegated plumes, sprinkled with 
precious stones and ornaments of gold. They also wore collars, 
bracelets, and earrings of the same precious materials. 

280 Pesos d'oro. The peso d'oro was worth £2 12s. 6d, 

VI. 26 Sierra. Sierra means in Spanish a saw. Hence, a ridge 
of mountains and craggy rocks. 

102 Alcaldes. Justices of the peace. 

105 RegidoreSy aldermen ; alguacil, high constable. 

157 Agave (aloe, maguey). "A miracle of Nature is the Mexican 
aloe, whose clustering pyramids of flowers, towering above their dark 
coronal of leaves, are to be seen sprinkled over many a broad acre 
of the table land." Its bruised leaves afforded a paste from which 
paper was manufactured ; its juice was fermented into an intoxicating 
beverage, pulque, of which the natives to this day are excessively 
fond. Its leaves further supplied an impenetrable thatch for the 
more humble dwellings. Thread, of which coarse stuff was made, 
and strong cords, were drawn from its tough and twisted fibres ; 
pins and needles were made of the thorns at the extremity of its 
leaves ; and the root, when properly cooked, was converted into a 
nutritious and palatable food. The agave, in short, was meat, drink, 
clothing, and writing material for the Aztec. 

161 Mutilated corpses of victims. Human sacrifice formed a regular 
part of the Aztec ritual. Prisoners were offered to the god of war ; 
children were especially acceptable to the god of rain. On great 
occasions, as the coronation of a king or the consecration of the 
temple, the number of victims becomes appalling. At the dedication 
of the great temple of the war god, we are told that when the prisoners 
intended for sacrifice were ranged in files a procession was formed 
extending nearly two miles. The ceremony lasted several days, and 
seventy thousand captives are said to have perished at the shrine. 
It was customary to preserve the skulls of the sacrificed in buildings 
appropriated to the purpose. The companions of Cortez counted one 
hundred and thirty thousand in one of these edifices. 

174 Flowering parasites. The name parasites has been given to 
those plants which are nourished at the expense of other living 
organisms. It does not always follow that parasites injure their host 
while drawing nourishment from them. Some are perfectly in accord 
with them. The mistletoe is the best example of a parasite. A 
traveller in Mexico in later times gives the following description of 
a similar scene : " Wherever the creepers may have neglected trunk 
Oj bough, prolific parasites, gay with taper le^f and gorgeous blossom, 



-VIl] 



NOTES. 97 



hasten to perform their part in the fairy work of Nature. The 
flowers of the parasites have little scent, but the profusion of white, 
yellow, and red, blended with the countless shades of green, charm 
the eye with tints as various as they are magnificent." 

258 Carrying off young men . . . to be sacrificed to his deities. The 
need of victims for sacrifice accounts for the constant wars of the 
Aztecs. Hence it was that an enemy was never slain in battle if 
there was a chance of taking him alive. Another method of supplying 
the altars was to demand from the tributary cities a certain number of 
their young men as a punishment for the non-fulfilment of their 
obligations, or for the display of any independent spirit. It is only 
natural that the native states on the frontier of Anahuac should 
welcome the Spaniards as protectors, and prosecute the war against 
their cruel rulers with zeal when the time for vengeance arrived. 

VII. 63 Cannibal repasts. The body of the captive, who had been 
sacrificed in the temple, was delivered to the warrior who had taken 
him in battle, and by him, after being dressed, was served up at an 
entertainment to his friends. 

65 Teocallis. The Mexican temples, 'teocallis,* as they were called, 
were very numerous. There were several hundred in each of the 
principal cities. They were solid masses of earth, cased with brick or 
stone. The bases of many of them were more than a hundred feet 
square, and they towered to a still greater height. They were dis- 
tributed into four or five stories, each of smaller dimensions than that 
below. The ascent was by a flight of steps on the outside. This flight 
led to a sort of terrace at the base of the second story, which passed 
quite round the building to another flight of stairs directly over the 
former, and leading to a similar terrace in the next story ; so that one 
had to make the circuit of the temple several times before reaching the 
summit. The top was a broad area, on which were erected one or two 
towers, forty or fifty feet high, in which stood the sacred images of the 
presiding deities. Before these towers stood the stone of sacrifice and 
two lofty altars, on which fires were kept unceasingly burning. 

196 Benefit of clergy. The clergy claimed the right to be tried before 
men of their order in their own courts, instead of in the civil courts. 
In most instances, if punished at all, the punishment was very slight. 

198 Would that I had never learned to write. An exclamation of 
Nero as reported by Suetonius. (" Quam vellem," inquit, "nescire 
litteras." — Lib. vi. cap. 10.) 

216 He came to the daring resolution to destroy the fleet. The Emperor 
Julian, in his unfortunate Assyrian expedition, burnt the fleet which 
had carried his army up the Tigris. (See Gibbon, ix. p. 177.) To burn 
one's boats has become a familiar figure of speech implying a desperate 
resolve, 

H 



98 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII-X 

VIII. 21 Drug raised in its environs. Jalap, x and j being 
interchangeable letters in Spanish. 

53 Scoriae. The cold and hardened mass carried down by the lava 
stream of a volcano, consisting of melted minerals and stony matter. 

73 Orgamim. "The huge organo- cactus, with its tree-like stem, 
often two feet in diameter and ten feet high, sends up its stiff straight 
branches to a height of thirty or forty feet from the ground, while the 
smaller species mingle in thousands with the shrubs and bushes near the 
ground. " 

90 Bernard Diaz. The chronicle of Bernard Diaz is one of the 
most important authorities for the history of the conquest of Mexico. 
Diaz took part in the expeditions of Cordova and Grijalva, and finally 
enlisted under the banner of Cortes. He bore a part in every action 
of importance during the whole war, and proved on every occasion 
true to his leader. He writes as a rude soldier, and the literary merits 
of his work, as was to be expected, are of a very humble order. As 
an eye-witness, however, of all the incidents of the campaign, his 
statement of facts is most valuable, and his pictures of the soldier's life 
and hardships full of romantic interest. 

Ill Revenues were enori7ious. The royal revenues were derived from 
various sources. The crown lands were extensive, and made their 
return in kind, being assigned for cultivation to some of the principal 
cities. The places in the neighbourhood of the capital were bound to 
supply workmen and materials for repairing the king's palaces, and to 
furnish fuel and provisions for his maintenance. The vassals of the 
great chiefs paid a portion of their earnings into the public treasury. 
There was also a tax on all manufactures, and the taxes were every- 
where collected by the tax-gatherers with merciless rigour. 

236 Cyclopean. Rough masonry, consisting of huge blocks of stone, 
such as are to be seen in the ruins of the walls of Tiryns (Argolis), 
were attributed to the Cyclops. 

IX. 25 Otoinie. The Otomies were a warlike race originally 
spread over the table-land north of the Mexican Valley. They gave 
energetic support to the republic of Tlascala in its efforts to maintain 
its independence against the growing power of the Aztecs. A con- 
siderable body of Otomies migrated at one time to Tlascala, and were 
incorporated in the armies of the republic. 

76 Maguey. The same as the agave or aloe. See note on chapter 
vi. line 157. 

X. 76 Itzli, or obsidian, was a dark, transparent mineral, ex- 
ceedingly hard, found in abundance in the hills. The Aztecs made it 
into knives, razors, and their serrated swords. It took a keen edge, 
though soon blunted. 



THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO 

VOLUME TWO 



CONTENTS 



Page 
NOTE , . . . . • . ix 

CHAPTER I. • 

MARCH TO CHOLULA — RECEPTION OF THE SPANIARDS— CONSPIRACY 
DETECTED — TERRIBLE MASSACRE — TRANQUILLITY RESTORED 
—ENVOYS FROM MONTEZUMA . . . . 1 

CHAPTER II. 

MARCH RESUMED — VALLEY OF MEXICO — IMPRESSION ON THE 
SPANIARDS— CONDUCT OF MONTEZUMA— THEY DESCEND INTO 
THE VALLEY . . . ... 11 

CHAPTER III. 

ENVIRONS OF MEXICO— INTERVIEW WITH MONTEZUMA— ENTRANCE 
INTO THE CAPITAL— HOSPITABLE RECEPTION— VISIT TO THE 
EMPEROR . . . ... 19 

CHAPTER IV. 

ANXIETY OP CORTES— SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMA— HIS TREATMENT 
BY THE SPANIARDS— EXECUTION OP HIS OFFICERS— MONTE- 
ZUMA IN IRONS . . . . . . 28 

CHAPTER V. 

Montezuma's deportment— his life in the Spanish quarters 

— meditated insurrection — LORD OF TEZOUCO SEIZED^ 
FURTHER MEASURES OF CORTES . . . . 36 

CHAPTER YI. 

MONTEZUMA SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO SPAIN— ROYAL TREASURES — 
THEIR DIVISION — CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN THE TEOCALLI — 
DISCONTENTS OF THE AZTECS— CORTES LEAVES THE CAPITAL 43 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Page 

INSURRECTION IN THE CAPITAL — RETURN OF CORTES— GENERAL 
SIGNS OF HOSTILITY — MASSACRE BT ALVARADO — RISING OF 
THE AZTECS . . . ... 52 

CHAPTER VIII. 

DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS — FURT OF THE MEXICANS 
— SALLY OF THE SPANIARDS— MONTEZUMA ADDRESSES THE 
PEOPLE— DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED . . . . 58 

CHAPTER IX. 

STORMING OF THE GREAT TEMPLE — SPIRIT OP THE AZTECS — 
DISTRESSES OF THE GARRISON —SHARP COMBATS IN THE 
CITY — DEATH OF MONTEZUMA . . . . 69 

CHAPTER X. 

COUNCIL OF WAR— SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE CITY— NOCHE TRISTE, 
OR THE "melancholy NIGHT " — TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER — 
HALT FOR THE NIGHT- -AMOUNT OF LOSSES . . . 80 



SUMMARY 



. 97 



NOTES ,. • • • • 

MAP OP CENTRAL AMERICA • • • • . viii 



CONQUEST OF MEXICO 



CHAPTEK I. 

MAECH TO CHOLULA— RECEPTION OF THE SPANIARDS— COilSPIRACT 
DETECTED— TERRIBLE MASSACRE— TRANQUILLITY RESTORED — 
ENVOYS FROM MONTEZUMA. 

1519. 

OK the appointed morning the Spanish army took np its 
march to Mexico by the way of Chohila. It was 
followed by crowds of the citizens, filled with admiration 
at the intrepidity of men who, so few in number, would 
venture to brave the great Montezuma in his capital. Yet 5 
an immense body of warriors offered to share the dangers of 
the expedition ; but Cortes, while he showed his gratitude 
for their good- will, selected only six thousand _ of the 
volunteers to bear him company. He was unwilling to 
encumber himself with an unwieldy force that might impede 10 
his movements ; and probably did not care to put himself so 
far in the power of allies whose attachment was too recent 
to afford sufficient guaranty for their fidehty. 

After crossing some rough and hilly ground, the army 
entered on the wide plain which spreads out for miles 15 
around Cholula. At the elevation of more than six thou- 
sand feet above the sea they beheld the rich products of 
various climes growing side by side, fields of towering 
maize, the juicy aloe, the chilli or Aztec pepper, and large 
plantations of the cactus, on which the brilliant cochineal is 20 
nourished. Towards evening they reached a small streani, 
on the banks of which Cortes determined to take up his 

VOL. IL B 



2 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. 

quarters for the night, being unwilling to disturb the tran- 
quillity of the city by introducing so large a force into it at 

25 an unseasonable hour. 

Here he was soon joined by a number of Cholulan caciques 
and their attendants, who came to view and welcome the 
strangers. When they saw their Tlascalan enemies in the 
camp, however, they exhibited signs of displeasure, and 

30 intimated an apprehension that their presence in the town 
might occasion disorder. The remonstrance seemed reason- 
able to Cortes, and he accordingly commanded his allies to 
remain in their present quarters, and to join him as he left 
the city on the way to Mexico. 

35 On the following morning he made his entrance at the 
head of his army into Cholula, attended by no other Indians 
than those from Cempoalla, and a handful of Tlascalans to 
take charge of the baggage. As the troops drew near the 
city, the road was lined with swarms of people of both sexes 

40 and every age — old men tottering with infirmity, women with 
children in their arms — all eager to catch a glimpse of the 
strangers, whose persons, weapons, and horses were objects 
of intense curiosity to eyes which had not hitherto ever 
encountered them in battle. They showed the same delicate 

45 taste for flowers as the other tribes of the plateau, decorating 
their persons with them, and tossing garlands and bunches 
among the soldiers. An immense number of priests mingled 
with the crowd, swinging their aromatic censers, while music 
from various kinds of instruments gave a lively welcome to 

50 the visitors, and made the whole scene one of gay, bewildering 
enchantment. 

The Spaniards were also struck with the cleanliness of the 
city, the width and great regularity of the streets, which 
seemed to have been laid out on a settled plan, with the 

55 solidity of the houses, and the number and size of the 
pyramidal temples. In the court of one of these, and its 
surrounding buildings, they were quartered. 

They were soon visited by the principal lords of the place, 
who seemed solicitous to provide them with accommodations. 

60 Their table was plentifully supplied, and, in short, they 



I.] MAECH TO CHOLULA. 3 

experienced such attentions as were calculated to dissipate 
their suspicions, and made them impute those of their 
Tlascalan friends to prejudice and old national hostility. 

In a few days the scene changed. Messengers arrived 
from Montezuma, who, after a short and unpleasant intima- 65 
tion to Cortes that his approach occasioned much disquietude 
to their master, conferred separately with the Mexican 
ambassadors still in the Castilian camp, and then departed, 
taking one of the latter along with them. From this time, 
the deportment of their Cholulan hosts underwent a visible 70 
alteration. They did not visit the quarters as before, and, 
when invited to do so, excused themselves on pretence of 
illness. The supply of provisions was stinted, on the 
ground that they were short of maize. These symptoms of 
alienation, independently of temporary embarrassment, caused 75 
serious alarm in the breast of Cortes, for the future. His 
apprehensions were not allayed by the reports of the Cempo- 
allans, who told him that, in wandering round the city, they 
had seen several streets barricadoed; the flat roofs of the 
houses, loaded with huge stones and other missiles, as if 80 
preparatory to an assault ; and in some places they had found 
holes covered over with branches, and upright stakes planted 
within, as if to embarrass the movements of the cavalry. 
These tidings confirmed the worst suspicions of Cortes, who 
had no doubt that some hostile scheme was in agitation. If 85 
he had felt any, a discovery by Marina, the good angel of the 
expedition, would have turned these doubts into certainty. 

The amiable manners of the Indian girl had won her the 
regard of the wife of one of the caciques, who repeatedly 
urged Marina to visit her house, darkly intimating, that in 90 
this way she would escape the fate that awaited the Spaniards. 
The interpreter, seeing the importance of obtaining further 
intelligence at once, pretended to be pleased with the 
proposal, and affected, at the same time, great discontent with 
the white men, by whom she was detained in captivity. 95 
Thus throwing the credulous Cholulan off her guard, Marina 
gTadually insinuated herself into her confidence, so far as to 
draw from her a fuU account of the conspiracy." 



4 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. 

It originated, she said, with the Aztec emperor, who had 

100 sent rich bribes to the great caciques, and to her husband 
among others, to secure them in his views. The Spaniards 
were to be assaulted as they marched out of the capital, when 
entangled in its streets, in which numerous impediments had 
been placed to throw the cavalry into disorder. A force of 

105 twenty thousand Mexicans was already quartered at no great 
distance from the city, to support the Cholulans in the 
assault. It was confidently expected that the SjDaniards, thus 
embarrassed in their movements, would fall an easy prey to 
the superior strength of their enemy. A sufficient number 

110 of prisoners was to be reserved to grace the sacrifices of 
Cholula ; the rest were to be led in fetters to the capital of 
Montezuma. 

While this conversation was going on, Marina occupied 
herself with putting up such articles of value and wearing 

115 apparel as she proposed to take with her in the evening, 
when she could escape unnoticed from the Spanish quarters 
to the house of her Cholulan friend, who assisted her in the 
operation. Leaving her visitor thus employed, Marina found 
an opportunity to steal away for a few moments, and, going 

120 to the general's apartment, disclosed to him her discoveries. 
He immediately caused the cacique's wife to be seized, and 
on examination she fully confirmed the statement of his 
Indian mistress. 

The intelligence thus gathered by Cortes filled him with 

125 the deepest alarm. He was fairly taken in the snare. To 
fight or to fly seemed equally difficult. 

He was desirous to obtain still further confirmation and 
particulars of the conspiracy. He accordingly induced two of 
the priests in the neighbourhood, one of them a person of 

130 much influence in the place, to visit his quarters. By 
courteous treatment, and liberal largesses of the rich presents 
he had received from Montezuma, he drew from them a full 
confirmation of the previous report. The emperor had been 
in a state of pitiable vacillation since the arrival of the 

135 Spaniards. His first orders to the Cholulans were, to receive 
the strangers kindly. He had recently consulted his oracles 



I.] CONSPIRACY DETECTED. 5 

anew, and obtained for answer, tliat Cholula would be the 
grave of his enemies ; for the gods would be sure to support 
him in avenging the sacrilege offered to the Holy City. So 
confident were the Aztecs of success, that numerous manacles, 140 
or poles with thongs which served as such, were already in 
the place to secure the prisoners. 

Cortes, now feeling himself fully possessed of the facts, 
dismissed the priests, with injunctions of secrecy, scarcely 
necessary. He told them it was his purpose to leave the 145 
city on the following morning, and requested that they would 
induce some of the principal caciques to grant him an inter- 
view in his quarters. 

When the caciques, persuaded by the priests, appeared 
before Cortes, he contented himself with gently rebuking 150 
their want of hospitality, and assured them the Spaniards 
would be no longer a burden to their city, as he pro- 
posed to leave it early on the following morning. He 
requested, moreover, that they would furnish a reinforce- 
ment of two thousand men to transport his artillery and 155 
baggage. The chiefs, after some consultation, acquiesced 
in a demand which might in some measure favour their 
own designs. 

On their departure, the general summoned the Aztec 
ambassadors before him. He briefly acquainted them with 160 
his detection of the treacherous plot to destroy his army, 
the contrivance of which, he said, was imputed to their 
master, Montezuma. It grieved him much, he added, to 
find the emperor implicated in so nefarious a scheme, and 
that the Spaniards must now march as enemies against the 165 
prince, whom they had hoped to visit as a friend. 

The ambassadors, with earnest protestations, asserted their 
entire ignorance of the conspiracy ; and their belief that 
Montezuma was equally innocent of a crime, which they 
charged wholly on the Cholulans. Cortes affected to give 170 
credit to the assertion of the envoys, and declared his 
unwillingness to believe, that a monarch, who had rendered 
the Spaniards so many friendly offices, would now consum- 
mate the whole by a. deed of such imparalleled basejiess, 



6 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. 

175 The discovery of their twofold duplicity, he added, sharpened 
his resentment against the Cholulans, on whom he would 
take sucli vengeance as should amply requite the injuries 
done both to Montezuma and the Spaniards. He then 
dismissed the ambassadors, taking care, notwithstanding this 

180 show of confidence, to place a strong guard over them, to 
prevent communication with the citizens. 

That night was one of deep anxiety to the army. Their 
vigilant general took all possible precautions for their 
safety, increasing the number of the sentinels, and posting 

185 his guns in such a manner as to protect the approaches to 
the camp. Every Spaniard lay down in his arms, and every 
horse stood saddled and bridled, ready for instant service. 
But no assault was meditated by the Indians, and the still- 
ness of the hour was undisturbed except by the occasional 

190 sounds heard in a populous city, even when buried in 
slumber, and the hoarse cries of the priests from the turrets 
of the teocallis, proclaiming through their trumpets the 
watches of the night. 

With the first streak of morning light, Cortes was seen on 

195 horseback, directing the movements of his little band. The 
strength of his forces he drew up in the great square or 
court, surrounded partly by buildings, and in part by a high 
w^all. There were three gates of entrance, at each of Avhich he 
placed a strong guard. The rest of his troops, with his great 

200 guns, he posted without the enclosure, in such a manner 
as to command the avenues, and secure those within from 
interruption in their bloody work. Orders had been sent 
the night before to the Tlascalan chiefs to hold themselves 
ready, at a concerted signal, to march into the city and join 

205 the Spaniards. 

The arrangements were hardly completed, before the 
Cholulan caciques appeared, leading a body of levies even 
more numerous than had been demanded. They were 
marched at once into the square, commanded, as we have 

210 seen, by the Spanish infantry, which was drawn up under 
the walls. Cortes then took some of the caciques aside. 
With a stern air, he bluntly charged them with th§ 



l] TERRIBLE MASSACRE. 7 

conspiracy, showing that he was well acquainted with all 
the particulars. 

The Cholulans were thunderstruck at the accusation, 215 
An undefined awe crept over them as they gazed on the 
mysterious strangers, and felt themselves in the presence of 
beings who seemed to have the power of reading the 
thoughts scarcely formed in their bosoms. There was no 
use in prevarication or denial before such judges. They 220 
confessed the whole, and endeavoured to excuse themselves 
by throwing the blame on Montezuma. Cortes, assuming an 
air of higher indignation at this, assured them that the 
pretence should not serve, since, even if well founded, it 
would be no justification ; and he would now make such an 225 
example of them for their treachery, that the report of it 
should ring throughout the wide borders of Anahuac ! 

_ The fatal signal, the discharge of an arquebuse, was then 
given. In an instant every musket and crossbow was levelled 
at the unfortunate Cholulans in the courtyard, and a frightful 230 
volley poured into them as they stood crowded together 
hke a herd of deer in the centre. They were taken by 
surprise, for they had not heard the preceding dialogue with 
the chiefs. They made scarcely any resistance to the 
Spaniards, who followed up the discharge of their pieces by 235 
rushing on them with their swords ; and, as the half-naked 
bodies of the natives afforded no protection, they hewed 
them down with as much ease as the reaper mows down the 
ripe corn in harvest time. Some endeavoured to scale the 
walls, but only afforded a surer mark to the arquebusiers 240 
and archers. Otliers threw themselves into the gateways, 
but were received on the long pikes of the soldiers who 
guarded them. Some few had better luck in hiding them- 
selves under the heaps of slain with which the ground was 
soon loaded. . 245 

While this work of death was going on, the countrymen 
of the slaughtered Indians, drawn together by the noise of 
the massacre, had commenced a furious assault on the 
Spaniards from without. But Cortes had placed his 
battery of heavy guns in a position that commanded the 250 



8 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. 

avenues, and swept off the files of the assailants as they 
Tushed on. 

While this fierce struggle was going forward, the Tlasca- 
lans, hearing the concerted signal, had advanced with quick 

255 pace into the city. They had bound, by order of Cortes, 
wreaths of sedge round their heads, that they might the 
more surely be distinguished from the Cholulans. Coming 
up in the very heat of the engagement, they fell on the de- 
fenceless rear of the townsmen, who, trampled down under 

260 the heels of the Castilian cavalry on one side, and galled by 
their vindictive enemies on the other, could no longer main- 
tain their ground. They gave way, some taking refuge in 
the nearest buildings, which, being partly of wood, were 
speedily set on fire. Others fled to the temples. One strong 

265 party, with a number of priests at its head, got possession of 
the great teocaUi. 

AU was now confusion and uproar in the fair city which 
had so lately reposed in security and peace. The groans of 
the dying, the frantic supplications of the vanquished for 

270 mercy, were mingled with the loud battle-cries of the 
Spaniards as they rode down their enemy, and with the 
shrill whistle of the Tlascalans, who gave full scope to the 
long cherished rancour of ancient rivalry. The tumult was 
still further swelled by the incessant rattle of musketry, 

275 and the crash of falling timbers, which sent up a volume of 
flame that outshone the ruddy light of morning, making 
altogether a hideous confusion of sights and sounds, that 
converted the Holy City into a Pandemonium. As resist- 
ance slackened, the victors broke into the houses and sacred 

280 places, plundering them of whatever valuables they con- 
tained, plate, jewels, which were found in some quantity, 
wearing apparel and provisions, the two last coveted even 
more than the former by the simple Tlascalans, thus facili- 
tating a division of the spoil, much to the satisfaction of 

285 their Christian confederates. 

These scenes of violence had lasted some hours, when 
Cortes, moved by the entreaties of some Cholulan chiefs, who 
had been reserved from the massacre, backed by the prayers 



I.] TEANQUILLITY KESTOEEP. 9 

of the Mexican envoys, consented, out of regard, as he said, 
to the latter, the representatives of Montezuma, to call off 290. 
the soldiers, and put a stop, as well as he could, to further 
outrage. Two of the caciques were also permitted to go to 
their countrymen with assurances of pardon and protection 
to all who would return to their obedience. 

These measures had their effect. By the joint efforts of 295 
Cortes and the caciques, the tumult was with much difficulty 
appeased. The assailants, Spaniards and Indians, gathered 
under their respective banners, and the Cholulans, relying 
on the assurance of their chiefs, gradually returned to their 
homes. 300 

Whatever be thought of this transaction in a moral view, 
as a stroke of policy it was unquestionable. The nations of 
Anahuac had beheld, with admiration mingled with awe, the 
little band of Christian warriors steadily advancing along the 
plateau in face of every obstacle. 305 

The prowess of the Spaniards — the " white gods," as they 
were often called — made them to be thought invincible. 
But it was not till their arriyal at Cholula that the natives 
learned how teriible was their vengeance — and they trembled! 

Some of the most important cities in the neighbourhood 310 
of Cholula, intimidated by the fate of that capital, now sent 
their envoys to the Castilian camp, tendering their allegiance, 
and propitiating the favour of the strangers by rich presents 
of gold and slaves. Montezuma, alarmed at these signs of 
defection, took counsel again of his impotent deities ; but, 315 
although the altars smoked with fresh hecatombs of human 
victims, he obtained no cheering response. He determined, 
therefore, to send envoys to the Spaniards, disavowing any 
participation in the conspiracy of Cholula. 

They were charged, as usual, with a rich present of plate 320 
and ornaments of gold ; among others, artificial birds in 
imitation of turkeys, with plumes of the same precious 
metal. To these were added fifteen hundred cotton dresses 
of delicate fabric. The emperor even expressed his regret 
at the catastrophe of Cholula, vindicated himself from any 325 
share in the conspiracy, which, he said, had brought deserved 



10 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [l. 

retribution on the heads of its authors, and explained the 
existence of an Aztec force in the neighbourhood, by the 
necessity of repressing some disorders there. 

330 More than a fortnight had elapsed since the entrance of 
the Spaniards into Cholula, and Cortes now resolved, with- 
out loss of time, to resume his march towards the capital. 
His rigorous reprisals had so far intimidated the Cholulans, 
that he felt assured he should no longer leave an active 

335 enemy in his rear, to annoy him in case of retreat. 



CHAPTEE II. 

MARCH RESUMED — VALLEY OF MEXICO — IMPRESSION ON THE 
SPANIARDS — CONDUCT OF MONTEZUMA — THEY DESCEND INTO 
THE VALLEY. 

1519. 

EYERYTHI:N'G being now restored to quiet in Cholula, 
the allied army of Spaniards and Tlascalans set forward 
in high spirits, and resumed the march on Mexico. The 
road lay through the beautiful savannas and luxuriant planta- 
tions that spread out for several leagues in every direction. 5 
On the march they were met occasionally by embassies from 
the neighbouring places, anxious to claim the protection of 
the white men, and to propitiate them by gifts, especially of 
gold, for which their appetite was generally known through- 
out the country. 10 

Some of these places were allies of the Tlascalans, and 
all showed much discontent with the oppressive rule of 
Montezuma. The natives cautioned the Spaniards against 
putting themselves in his power by entering his capital; 
and they stated, as evidence of his hostile disposition, that 15 
he had caused the direct roads to it to be blocked up, that 
the strangers might be compelled to choose another, which, 
from its narrow passes and strong positions, would enable 
him to take them at great disadvantage. 

The information was not lost on Cortes, who kept a strict 20 
eye on the movements of the Mexican envoys, and redoubled 
his own precautions against surprise. 

The army came at length to the place mentioned by the 
friendly Indians, where the road forked, and one arm of it 
was found, as they had foretold, obstructed with large 25 
trunks of trees and huge stones which had been strewn 



12 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. 

across it. Cortes inquired the meaning of this from the 
Mexican ambassadors. They said it was done by the 
emperor's orders, to prevent their taking a route which, 

30 after some distance, they would find nearly impracticable 
for the cavalry. They acknowledged, however, that it was 
the most direct road; and Cortes, declaring that this was 
enough to decide him in favour of it, as the Spaniards made 
no account of obstacles, commanded the rubbish to be cleared 

35 away. 

They were now leaving the pleasant champaign country, 
as the road wound up the bold sierra which separates the 
great plateaus of Mexico and Puebla. The air, as they 
ascended, became keen and piercing ; and the blasts, sweep- 

40 ing down the frozen sides of the mountains, made the 
soldiers shiver in their thick harness of cotton, and be- 
numbed the limbs of both men and horses. 

They were passing between two of the highest mountains 
on the North American continent, Popocatepetl, "the hill 

45 that smokes," and Iztaccihuatl, or " white woman " — a name 
suggested, doubtless, by the bright robe of snow spread over 
its broad and broken surface. 

As night came on their sufferings would have been 
intolerable, but they luckily found a shelter in the commo- 

50 dious stone buildings which the Mexican government had 
placed at stated intervals along the roads for the accommoda- 
tion of the traveller and their own couriers. 

The troops, refreshed by a night's rest, succeeded, early 
on the following day, in gaining the crest of the sierra of 

55 Ahualco, which stretches like a curtain between the two 
great mountains on the north and south. Their progress 
was now comparatively easy, and they marched forward 
with a buoyant step, as they felt they were treading the 
soil of Montezuma. 

60 They had not advanced far, when, turning an angle of 
the sierra, they suddenly came on a view which more than 
compensated the toils of the preceding day. It was that 
of the valley of Mexico, or Tenochtitlan, as more commonly 
called by the natives ; which, with its picturesque assemblage 



II.] MARCH RESUMED. 13 

of water, woodland, and cultivated plains, its shining cities 65 
and shadowy hills, was spread ont like some gay and gorgeous 
panorama before them. In the highly rarefied atmosphere 
of these upper regions, even remote objects have a brilliancy 
of colouring and a distinctness of outline which seem to 
annihilate distance. Stretching far away at their feet were 70 
seen noble forests of oaks, sycamore, and cedar, and beyond, 
yellow fields of maize and the towering maguey, intermingled 
with orchards and blooming gardens; for flowers, in such 
demand for their religious festivals, were even more abundant 
in this populous valley than in other parts of Anahuac. 75 
In the centre of the great basin were beheld the lakes, 
occupying then a much larger portion of its surface than at 
present; their borders thickly studded with towns and 
hamlets, and, in the midst, the fair city of Mexico, with 
her white towers and pyramidal temples. 80 

With every step of their progress, the woods became 
thinner, patches of cultivated land more frequent; and 
hamlets were seen in the green and sheltered nooks, the 
inhabitants of which, coming out to meet them, gave the 
troops a kind reception. Everywhere they heard complaints 85 
of Montezuma, especially of the unfeeling manner in which 
he carried off" their young men to recruit his armies, and 
their maidens for his harem. These symptoms of discontent 
were noticed with satisfaction by Cortes, who encouraged 
the disaffected natives to rely on his protection, as he had 90 
come to redress their wrongs. He took advantage, moreover, 
of their favourable dispositions to scatter among them such 
gleams of spiritual light as time and the preaching of father 
Olmedo could afford. 

He advanced by easy stages, somewhat retarded by the 95 
crowd of curious inhabitants gathered on the higlnvays to 
see the strangers, and halting at every spot of interest or 
importance. On the road he was met by another embassy 
from the capital. It consisted of several Aztec lords, 
freighted, as usual, with a rich largess of gold, and robes 100 
of delicate furs and feathers. The message of the emperor 
was couched in the same deprecatory terms as before. He 



14 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. 

even condescended to bribe the return of the Spaniards, by 
promising, in that event, four loads of gold to the general, 

105 and one to each of the captains, with a yearly tribute to 
their sovereign. 

But the man whom the hostile array of armies could not 
daunt, was not to be turned from his pur]:)ose by a woman's 
prayers. He received the embassy with his usual courtesy, 

110 declaring, as before, that he could not answer it to his 
own sovereign, if he were now to return without visiting 
the emperor in his capital. It would be much easier to 
arrange matters by a personal interview than by distant 
negotiation. 

115 The Aztec monarch, meanwhile, was a prey to the most 
dismal apprehensions. It was intended that the embassy 
above noticed should reach the Spaniards before they crossed 
the mountains. When he learned that this was accomplished, 
and that the dread strangers were on their march across the 

120 valley, the very threshold of his capital, the last spark of 
hope died away in his bosom. 

In a paroxysm of despair he shut himself up in his 
palace, refused food, and sought relief in prayer and in 
sacrifice. But the oracles were dumb. He then adopted 

125 the more sensible expedient of calling a council of his prin- 
cipal and oldest nobles. Here was the same division of 
opinion which had before Prevailed. Cacama, the young 
king of Tezcuco, his nephew, counselled him to receive the 
Spaniards courteously, as ambassadors, so styled by them- 

130 selves, of a foreign prince. Cuitlahua, Montezuma's more 
warlike brother, urged him to muster his forces on the 
instant, and drive back the invaders from his capital, or die 
in its defence. But the monarch found it difficult to rally 
his spirits for this final struggle. With downcast eye and 

135 dejected mien he exclaimed, " Of what avail is resistance 
when the gods have declared themselves against us^ Yet 
I mourn most for the old and infirm, the women and children, 
too feeble to fight or to fly. For myself and the brave men 
around me, we must bare our breasts to the storm, and meet 

140 it as we may 1" 



II.] THEY DESCEND INTO THE VALLEY. 15 

He straightway prepared to send a last embassy to the 
Spaniards, with his nephew, the lord of Tezcuco, at its head, 
to welcome them to Mexico. 

The Christian army, meanwhile, had advanced as far as 
Ajotzinco, a town of considerable size, with a great part of 145 
it then standing on piles in the water. It was the first 
specimen which the Spaniards had seen of this maritime 
architecture. The canals, which intersected the city instead 
of streets, presented an animated scene from the number of 
barks which glided up and down freighted with provisions 150 
and other articles for the inhabitants. The Spaniards 
were particularly struck with the style and commodious 
structure of the houses, built chiefly of stone, and with 
the general aspect of wealth, and even elegance which pre- 
vailed there. 155 

Early on the following morning, as the army was prepar- 
ing to leave the place, a courier came, requesting the general 
to postpone his departure till after the arrival of the king of 
Tezcuco, who was advancing to meet him. It was not long 
before he appeared, borne in a palanquin or litter, richly 160 
decorated with plates of gold and precious stones, having 
pillars curiously wrought, supporting a canopy of green 
plumes, a favourite colour with the Aztec princes. He was 
accompanied by a numerous suite of nobles and inferior 
attendants. As he came into the presence of Cortes, the 165 
lord of Tezcuco descended from his palanquin, and the obse- 
quious officers swept the ground before him as he advanced. 
He appeared to be a young man of about twenty-five years 
of age, with a comely presence, erect and stately in his 
deportment. He made the Mexican salutation usually 170 
addressed to persons of high rank, touching the earth with 
his right hand, and raising it to his head. Cortes embraced 
him as he rose, wlien the young prince informed him that 
he came as the representative of Montezuma, to bid the 
Spaniards welcome to his capital. He then presented the 175 
general with three pearls of uncommon size and lustre. 
Cortes, in return, threw over Cacama's neck a chain of cut 
glass, which, where glass was as rare as diamonds, might be 



16 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iL 

admitted to have a value as real as the latter. After this 

180 interchange of courtesies, and the most friendly and respect- 
ful assurances on the part of Cortes, the Indian prince with- 
drew, leaving the Spaniards strongly impressed with the 
superiority of his state and bearing over anything they had 
hitherto seen in the country. 

185 Eesuming its march, the army kept along the southern 
borders of the lake of Chalco, overshadowed at that time by 
noble woods, and by orchards glowing with autumnal fruits, 
of unknown names, but rich and tempting hues. More fre- 
quently it passed through cultivated fields waving with the 

190 yellow harvest, and irrigated by canals introduced from the 
neighbouring lake. 

Leaving the main land, the Spaniards came on the great 
dike or causeway, which stretches some four or five miles in 
length, and divides lake Chalco from Xochicalco on the 

195 west. It was a lance in breadth in the narrowest part, and 
in some places wide enough for eight horsemen to ride 
abreast. It was a solid structure of stone and lime, running 
directly through the lake, and struck the Spaniards as one 
of the most remarkable works which they had seen in the 

200 country. 

As they passed along, they beheld the gay spectacle of 
multitudes of Indians darting up and down in their light 
pirogues, eager to catch a glimpse of the strangers, or bear- 
ing the products of the country to the neighbouring cities. 

205 They were amazed, also, by the sight of the chinampas, or 
floating gardens, teeming with flowers and vegetables, and 
moving like rafts over the waters. All round the margin, 
and occasionally far in the lake, they beheld little towns 
and villages, which, half concealed by the foliage, and 

210 gathered in white clusters round the shore, looked in the 
distance like companies of wild swans riding quietly on the 
waves. 

Cortes now found, as he advanced, a considerable change 
in the feelings shown towards the government. He heard 

215 only of the pomp and magnificence, nothing of the oppressions 
of Montezuma. Contrary to the usual fact, it seemed that 



il] they descend into the valley. 17 

the respect for the Court was greatest in its immediate 
neighbourhood. 

From the causeway, the army descended on that narrow 
point of land which divides the waters of the Chalco from 220 
the Tezcucan lake, but which in those days was overflowed 
for many a mile, now laid bare. Traversing this peninsula, 
they entered the royal residence of Iztapalapan, a place 
containing twelve or fifteen thousand houses, according 
to Cortes. It was governed by Cuitlahua, the emperor's 225 
brother. 

The pride of Iztapalapan, on which its lord had freely 
lavished his care and his revenues, was its celebrated 
gardens. They covered an immense tract of land; were 
laid out in regular squares, and the paths intersecting them 230 
were bordered with trellises, supporting creepers and aromatic 
shrubs, that loaded the air with their perfumes. The gar- 
dens were stocked with fruit-trees, imported from distant 
places, and with the gaudy family of flowers which belong 
to the Mexican Flora, scientifically arranged, and growing 235 
luxuriant in the equable temperature of the table-land. The 
natural dryness of the atmosphere was counteracted by means 
of aqueducts and canals, that carried water into all parts of 
the grounds. 

In one quarter was an aviary, filled with numerous kmds 240 
of birds, remarkable in this region both for brilliancy of 
plumage and of song. The gardens were intersected by a 
canal communicating with the lake of Tezcuco, and of suffi- 
cient size for barges" to enter from the latter. But the most 
elaborate piece of work was a huge reservoir of stone, filled 245 
to a considerable height with water, well supplied with 
different sorts of fish. This basin was sixteen hundred 
paces in circumference, and was surrounded by a walk, made 
also of stone, wide enough for four persons to go abreast. 
The sides were curiously sculptured, and a flight of steps led 250 
to the water below, which fed the aqueducts above noticed, 
or, collected into fountains, diffused a perpetual moisture. 

In the city of Iztapalapan, Cortes took up his quarters for 
the night. We may imagine what a crowd of ideas must 

VOL. II. 



18 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll. 

255 have pressed on the mind of the Conqueror, as, surrounded 
by these evidences of civilisation, he prepared, with his 
handful of followers, to enter the capital of a monarch, who, 
as he had abundant reason to know, regarded him with dis- 
trust and aversion. This capital was now but a few miles 

260 distant, distinctly visible from Iztapalapan. And as its long 
lines of glittering edifices, struck by the rays of the evening 
sun, trembled on the dark-blue waters of the lake, it looked 
like a thing of fairy creation, rather than the work of mortal 
hands. Into this city of enchantment Cortes prepared to 

265 make his entry on the following morning. 



CHAPTER III. 

ENVIRONS OF MEXICO— INTERVIEW WITH MONTEZUMA — ENTRANCE 
INTO THE CAPITAL — HOSPITABLE RECEPTION— VISIT TO THE 
EMPEROR. 

1519. 

WITH the first faint streak of dawn, the Spanish general 
was up, mustering his followers. It was the eighth of 
November, 1519; a conspicuous day in history, as that on 
which the Europeans first set foot in the capital of the 
Western World. 5 

Cortes with his little body of horse formed a sort of 
advanced guard to the army. Then came the Spanish 
infantry, who in a summer's campaign had acquired the 
discipline and the weather-beaten aspect of veterans. The 
baggage occupied the centre, and the rear was closed by the 10 
dark files of Tlascalan warriors. The whole number must 
have fallen short of seven thousand, of which less than four 
hundred were Spaniards. 

Eor a short distance the army kept along the narrow 
tongue of land that divides the Tezcucan from the Chalcan 15 
waters, when it entered on the great dike which, with the 
exception of an angle near the commencement, stretches in a 
perfectly straight line across the salt floods of Tezcuco to the 
gates of the capital. It was composed of huge stones well 
laid in cement ; and wide enough, throughout its whole 20 
extent, for ten horsemen to ride abreast. 

Everywhere the Conquerors beheld the evidence of a 
crowded and thriving population, exceeding all they had yet 
seen. The temples and principal buildings of the cities were 
covered with a hard, white stucco, which glistened like 25 



20 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. 

enamel in the level beams of the morning. The margin of 
the great basin was more thickly gemmed than that of 
Chalco, with towns and hamlets. The water was darkened 
by swarms of canoes filled with Indians, who clambered up 

30 the sides of the causeway, and gazed with curious astonish- 
ment on the strangers. And here, also, they beheld those 
fairy islands of flowers, overshadowed occasionally by trees 
of considerable size, rising and falling with the gentle 
undulation of the billows. At the distance of half a league 

35 from the capital, they encountered a sohd work, or curtain of 
stone, which traversed the dike. It was twelve feet high, 
was strengthened by towers at the extremities, and in the 
centre was a battlemented gateway, which opened a passage 
to the troops. It was called the Fort of Xoloc, and became 

40 memorable in after times as the position occupied by Cortes 
in the famous siege of Mexico. 

Here they were met by several hundred Aztec chiefs, who 
came out to announce the approach of Montezuma, and to 
welcome the Spaniards to his capital. They were dressed in 

45 the fanciful gala costume of the country, with the maxtlatl, 
or cotton sash, around their loins, and a broad mantle of the 
same material, or of the brilliant feather-embroidery, flowing 
gracefully down their shoulders. On their necks and arms 
they displayed collars and bracelets of turquoise mosaic, with 

50 which delicate plumage was curiously mingled, while their 
ears, under-lips, and occasionally their noses, were garnished 
with pendants formed of precious stones, or crescents of fine 
gold. As each cacique made the usual formal salutation of 
the country separately to the general, the tedious ceremony 

55 delayed the march more than an hour. After this, the army 
experienced no further interruption till it reached a bridge 
near the gates of the city. It was built of wood, since 
replaced by one of stone, and was thrown across an opening 
of the dike, which furnished an outlet to the waters, when 

60 agitated by the winds, or swollen by a sudden influx in the 
rainy season. It was a draw-bridge ; and the Spaniards, as 
they crossed it, felt how truly they were committing them- 
selves to the mercy of Montezuma, who, by thus cutting off 



III.] ENVIRONS OF MEXICO. 21 

their comiminications with the country, might hold them 
prisoners in his capital. 65 

In the midst of these unpleasant reflections, they heheld 
the glittering retinue of the emperor emerging from the 
great street which led then, as it still does, through the 
heart of the city. Amidst a crowd of Indian nobles, preceded 
by three officers of state, bearing golden wands, they saw the 70 
royal palanquin blazing with burnished gold. It was borne 
on the shoulders of nobles, and over it a canopy of gaudy 
feather-work, powdered with jewels, and fringed with silver, 
was supported by four attendants of the same rank. They 
were bare-footed, and walked with a slow, measured pace, 75 
and with eyes bent on the ground. When the train had 
come within a convenient distance, it halted, and Montezuma, 
descending from his litter, came forward leaning on the arms 
of the lords of Tezcuco and Iztapalapan, his nephew and 
brother. As the monarch advanced under the canopy, the 80 
obsequious attendants strewed the ground with cotton 
tapestry, that his imperial feet might not be contaminated by 
the rude soil. His subjects of high and low degree, who 
lined the sides of the causeway, bent forward with their eyes 
fastened on the ground as he passed, and some of the 85 
humbler class prostrated themselves before him. 

Montezuma was at this time about forty years of age. 
His person was tall and thin, but not ill made. His hair, 
which was black and straight, was not very long ; to wear it 
short was considered unbecoming persons of rank. His 90 
beard was thin; his complexion somewhat paler than is 
often found in his dusky, or rather copper-coloured race. 
His features, though serious in their expression, did not 
wear the look of melancholy, indeed, of dejection, which 
characterizes his portrait, and which may well have settled 95 
on them at a later period. He moved with dignity, and his 
whole demeanour, tempered by an expression of benignity 
not to have been anticipated from the reports circulated of 
his character, was worthy of a great prince. Such is the 
portrait left to us of the celebrated Indian emperor, in this 100 
his first interview with the white men. 



22 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iH. 

The army halted as he drew near. Cortes dismounting, 
threw his reins to a page, and, supported by a few of the 
principal cavaliers, advanced to meet him. Whatever may 

105 have been the monarch's feelings, he so far suppressed them 
as to receive his guest with princely courtesy, and to express 
his satisfaction at personally seeing him in his capital. 
Cortes responded by the most profound expressions of 
respect, while he made ample acknowledgments for the 

110 substantial proofs which the emperor had given the 
Spaniards of his munificence. He then hung round 
Montezuma's neck a sparkling chain of coloured crystal, 
accompanying this with a movement as if to embrace him, 
when he was restrained by the two Aztec lords, shocked at 

115 the menaced profanation of the sacred person of their 
master. After the interchange of these civilities, Montezuma 
appointed his brother to conduct the Spaniards to their 
residence in the capital, and again entering his litter, was 
borne off amidst prostrate crowds in the same state in which 

120 he had come. The Spaniards quickly followed, and with 
colours flying and music playing, soon made their entrance 
into the southern quarter of Tenochtitlan. 

As they passed down the spacious street, the troops 
repeatedly traversed bridges suspended above canals, along 

125 which they saw the Indian barks gliding swiftly with their 
little cargoes of fruits and vegetables for the market. At 
length they halted before a broad area near the centre of 
the city, where rose the huge pyramidal pile dedicated to 
the patron war-god of the Aztecs, second only in size, as 

130 well as sanctity, to the temple of Cholula, and covering the 
same ground now in part occupied by the great cathedral of 
Mexico. 

Facing the western gate of the inclosure of the temple, 
stood a low range of stone buildings, spreading over a wide 

i35 extent of ground, the palace of Axayacatl, Montezuma's 
father, built by that monarch about fifty years before. It 
was appropriated as the barracks of the Spaniards. The 
emperor himself was in the court-yard, waiting to receive 
them. Approaching Cortes, he took from a vase of flowers, 



III.] HOSPITABLE RECEPTION. 23 

borne by one of his slaves, a massy collar, in wbicli the 140 
shell of a species of craw-fish, much prized by the Indians, 
was set in gold, and connected by heavy links of the same 
metal. From this chain depended eight ornaments, also of 
gold, made in resemblance of the same shell-fish, a span in 
length each, and of delicate workmanship ; for the Aztec 145 
goldsmiths were confessed to have shown skill in their craft, 
not inferior to their brethren of Europe. Montezuma, as 
he hung the gorgeous collar round the general's neck, said, 
" This palace belongs to you, Malinche " (the epithet by 
which he always addressed him), "and your brethren 150 
Rest after your fatigues ; for you have much need to do so, 
and in a little while I will visit you again." So saying, 
he withdrew with his attendants, evincing, in this act, a 
delicate consideration not to have been expected in a 
barbarian. 155 

Cortes' first care was to inspect his new quarters. The 
building, though spacious, was low, consisting of one floor, 
except indeed in the centre, where it rose to an additional 
storey. The apartments were of great size, and afforded 
accommodations, according to the testimony of the Con- 160 
querors themselves, for the whole army. The hardy 
mountaineers of Tlascala were, probably, not very fastidious, 
and might easily find a shelter in the out-buildings, or under 
temporary awnings in the ample court-yards. The best 
apartments were hung with gay cotton draperies, the floors 1G5 
covered with mats or rushes. There were, also, low stools 
made of single pieces of wood elaborately carved, and in 
most of the apartments beds made of the palmdeaf, woven 
into a thick mat, with coverlets, and sometimes canopies of 
cotton. These mats were the only beds used by the natives, 170 
whether of high or low degree. 

After a rapid survey of this gigantic pile, the general 
assigned to his troops their respective quarters, and took as 
vigilant precautions for security, as if he had anticipated a 
siege, instead of a friendly entertainment. The place was 175 
encompassed by a stone wall of considerable thickness, with 
to^^'ers or heavy buttresses at intervals, affording a good 



24 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. 

means of defence. He planted his cannon so as to command 
the approaches, stationed his sentinels along the works, and, 

180 in short, enforced in every respect as strict military discipline 
as had been observed in any part of the march. Having 
taken these precautions, he allowed his men to partake 
of the bountiful collation which had been prepared for 
them. 

185 After the repast was concluded, and they had taken their 
siesta, not less important to a Spaniard than food itself, the 
presence of the emperor was again announced. 

Montezuma was attended by a few of his principal nobles. 
He was received with much deference by Cortes ; and, after 

190 the parties had taken their seats, a conversation commenced 
between them through the aid of Dona Marina, while the 
cavaliers and Aztec chieftains stood around in respectful 
silence. 

At the conclusion of the interview, the Aztec prince 

195 commanded his attendants to bring forward the presents 
prepared for his guests. They consisted of cotton dresses, 
enough to supply every man, it is said, including the allies, 
with a suit. And he did not fail to add the usual accom- 
paniment of gold chains and other ornaments, which he 

200 distributed in profusion among the Spaniards. He then 
withdrew with the same ceremony with which he had 
entered, leaving every one deeply impressed with his munifi- 
cence and his affability, so unlike what they had been taught 
to expect by what they now considered an invention of the 

205 enemy. 

On the following morning the general requested per- 
mission to return the emperor's visit, by waiting on him m 
his palace. This was readily granted, and Montezuma sent 
his officers to conduct the Spaniards to his presence. Cortes 

210 dressed himself in his richest habit, and left the quarters 
attended by Alvarado, Sandoval, Velasquez, and Ordaz, 
together with five or six of the common file. 

The royal habitation was at no great distance. It was a 
vast, irregular pile of low stone buildings, like that garrisoned 

215 by the Spaniards. So spacious was it indeed, that, as one 



III.] VISIT TO THE EMPEROR. 25 

of the Conquerors assures us, although he had visited it 
more than once, for the express purpose, he had been too 
much fatigued each time by wandering through the apart- 
ments ever to see the whole of it. 

On reaching the hall of audience, the Mexican officers 220 
took off their sandals, and covered their gay attire with a 
mantle of neqaen, a coarse stuff made of the fibres of the 
maguey, worn only by the poorest classes. This act of 
humiliation was imposed on all, except the members of his 
own family, who approached the sovereign. Thus bare- 225 
footed, with downcast eyes, and formal obeisance, they 
ushered the Spaniards into the royal presence. 

They found Montezuma seated at the further end of a 
spacious saloon, and surrounded by a few of his favourite 
chiefs. He received them kindly, and very soon Cortes, 230 
without much ceremony, entered on the subject which was 
uppermost in his thoughts. He was fully aware of the 
importance of gaining the royal convert, whose example 
would have such an influence on the conversion of his 
people. The general, therefore, prepared to display the 235 
whole store of his theological science, with the most winning 
arts of rhetoric he could command, while the interpretation 
was conveyed through the silver tones of Marina, as insepa- 
rable from him, on these occasions, as his shadow. 

Montezuma listened, however, with silent attention, until 240 
the general had concluded his homily. He then replied, 
that he knew the Spaniards had held this discourse wherever 
they had been. He doubted not their God was, as they 
said, a good being. His gods, also, were good to him. 
Yet what his visitor said of the creation of the world was 245 
like what he had been taught to believe. It was not 
worth while to discourse further of the matter. His ances- 
tors, he said, were not the original proprietors of the land. 
They had occupied it but a few ages, and had been led 
there by a great Being, who, after giving them laws and 250 
ruling over the nation for a time, had withdrawn to the 
regions where the sun rises. He had declared, on his 
departure, that he or his descendants would a^ain visit; 



26 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ill. 

them and resume his empire. The wonderful deeds of the 

255 Spaniards, their fair complexions, and the quarter whence 
they came, all showed they were his descendants. If Mon- 
tezuma had resisted their visit to his capital, it was because 
he had heard such accounts of their cruelties — that they 
sent the lightning to consume his people, or crushed them 

2*30 to pieces under the hard feet of the ferocious animals on 
which they rode. He was now convinced that these were 
idle tales; that the Spaniards were kind and generous in 
their natures ; they were mortals of a different race, indeed, 
from the Aztecs, wiser, and more vaHant — and for this he 

265 honoured them. 

"You, too," he added, with a smile, "have been told, 
perhaps, that I am a god, and dwell in palaces of gold and 
silver. But you see it is false. My houses, though large, 
are of stone and wood like those of others ; and as to my 

270 body," he said, baring his tawny arm, " you see it is flesh 
and bone like yours. It is true, I have a great empire, 
inherited from my ancestors; lands, and gold, and silver. 
But your sovereign beyond the waters is, I know, the right- 
ful lord of all. I rule in his name. You, Mahntzin, are 

275 his ambassador ; you and your brethren shall share these 
things with me. Kest now from your labours. You are 
here in your own dwellings, and everything shall be pro- 
vided for your subsistence. I will see that your wishes 
shall be obeyed in the same way as my own." As the 

280 monarch concluded these words, a few natural tears suffused 
his eyes, while the image of ancient independence, perhaps, 
flitted across his mind. 

Cortes, while he encouraged the idea that his own sove- 
reign was the great Being indicated by Montezuma, endea- 

285 voured to comfort the monarch by the assurance that his 
master had no desire to interfere with his authority, other- 
wise than, out of pure concern for his welfare, to effect his 
conversion and that of his people to Christianity. Before 
the emperor dismissed his visitors he consulted his munifi- 

290 cent spirit, as usual, by distributing rich stuffs and trinkets 
of gold among them, so that the poorest soldier, says 



III.] VISIT TO THE EMPEKOR. 27 

Bernal Diaz, one of the party, received at least two heavy 
collars of the precious metal for his share. The iron hearts 
of the Spaniards were touched with the emotion displayed 
by Montezuma, as well as by his princely spirit of liberality. 295 
As they passed him, the cavaliers, with bonnet in hand, 
made him the most profound obeisance, and "on the way 
home," continues the same chronicler, "we could discourse 
of nothing but the gentle breeding and courtesy of the 
Indian monarch, and of the respect we entertained for 300 
him." 



n 



CHAI>TER IV. 

ANXIETY OF CORTES — SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMA — HIS TREATMENT BY 
THE SPANIARDS — EXECUTION OF HIS OFFICERS — MONTEZUMA IN 
IRONS. 

1519. 

fT^HE Spaniards had been now a week in Mexico. During 
X this time they had experienced the most friendly treat- 
ment ftom the emperor. But the mind of Cortes was far 
from easy. What reliance could he place on the protection 
5 of a prince so recently their enemy, and who, in his altered 
bearing, must have taken counsel of his fears rather than 
his inclinations'? 

In this perplexity, Cortes proposed an expedient, which 
none but the most daring spirit, in the most desperate 

10 extremity would have conceived. This was, to march to 
the royal palace, and bring Montezuma to the Spanish 
quarters, by fair means if they could persuade him, by force 
if necessary, — at all events, to get possession of his person. 
With such a pledge, the Spaniards would be secure from the 

15 assault of the Mexicans, afraid by acts of violence to com- 
promise the safety of their prince. If he came by his own 
consent, they would be deprived of all apology for doing so. 
As long as the emperor remained among the Spaniards, it 
would be easy, by allowing him a show of sovereignty, to 

20 rule in his name, until they had taken measures for securing 
their safety, and the success of their enterprise. 

A plausible pretext for the seizure of the hospitable 
monarch was afforded by a circumstance of which Cortes 
had received intelligence at Cholula. He had left a faithful 

25 officer, Juan de Escalante, with a hundred and fifty men in 
garrison at Vera Cruz, on his departure for the capital. He 



IV,] SEIZURE OF MONTEZUMA. 29 

liad not been long absent, when his lieutenant received a 
message from an Aztec chief named Qnauhpopoca, governor of 
a district to the north of the Spanish settlement, declaring 
his desire to come in person and tender his allegiance to the 30 
Spanish authorities at Yera Cruz. He requested that four 
of the white men might be sent to protect him against 
certain unfriendly tribes through which his road lay. This 
was not an uncommon request, and excited no suspicion in 
Escalante. The four soldiers were sent ; and on their 35 
arrival two of them were murdered by the false Aztec. The 
other two made their way back to the garrison. 

The commander marched at once, with fifty of his men, 
and several thousand Indian allies, to take vengeance on the 
cacique. A pitched battle followed. The allies fled from the 40 
redoubted Mexicans. The few Spaniards stood firm, and 
with the aid of their fire-arms, made good the field against 
the enemy. It cost them dear, however ; since seven or 
eight Christians were slain, and among them the gallant 
Escalante himself. The Indian prisoners captured in the 45 
battle spoke of the whole proceeding as having taken place 
at the instigation of Montezuma. 

One of the Spaniards fell into the hands of the natives, 
but soon after perished of his wounds. His head was cut oif 
and sent to the Aztec emperor. It was uncommonly large 50 
and covered with hair; and, as Montezuma gazed on the 
ferocious features, rendered more horrible by death, he 
seemed to read in them the dark lineaments of the destined 
destroyers of his house. He turned from it with a shudder, 
and commanded that it should be taken from the city, 55 
and not ofi'ered at the shrine of any of his gods. 

Although Cortes had received intelligence of this disaster 
at Cholula, he had concealed it within his own breast, or 
communicated it to very few only of his most trusty officers, 
from apprehension of the ill effect it might have on the 60 
spirits of the common soldiers. 

One night Cortes was heard pacing his apartment to and 
fro, like a man oppressed by thought, or agitated by strong 
emotion. He may have been ripening in his mind the 



30 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. {iV. 

65 daring scheme for the morrow. In the morning the soldiers 
heard mass as usual, and Father Olmedo invoked the blessing 
of Heaven on their hazardous enterprise. Whatever might 
he the cause in which he was embarked, the heart of the 
Spaniard was cheered with the conviction that the Saints 

70 were on his side. 

Having asked an audience from Montezuma, which was 
readily granted, the general made the necessary arrangements 
for his enterprise. The principal part of his force was drawn 
up in the court-yard, and he stationed a considerable detach- 

75 ment in the avenues leading to the palace, to check any 
attempt at rescue by the populace. He ordered twenty-five 
or thirty of the soldiers to drop in at the palace, as if by 
accident, in groups of three or four at a time, while the con- 
ference was going on with Montezuma. He selected five 

80 cavaliers, in whose courage and coolness he placed most 
trust, to bear him company ; Pedro de Alvarado, Gonzalo de 
Sandoval, Francisco de Lujo, Velasquez de Leon, and Alonso 
de Avila, — brilliant names in the annals of the conquest. 
All were clad, as well as the common soldiers, in complete 

85 armour, a circumstance of too familiar occurrence to excite 
suspicion. 

The little party were graciously received by the emperor, 
who soon, with the aid of the interpreters, became interested 
in a sportive conversation with the Spaniards, while he in- 

90 dulged his natural munificence by giving them presents of 
gold and jewels. He paid the Spanish general the particular 
compliment of offering him one of his daughters as his wife ; 
an honour which the latter respectfully declined, on the 
ground that he was already accommodated with one in Cuba, 

95 and that his religion forbade a plurality. 

When Cortes perceived that a sufficient number of his 
soldiers were assembled, he changed his playful manner, and 
with a serious tone briefly acquainted Montezuma with the 
treacherous proceedings in the tierra caUente, and the accusa- 

100 tion of him as their author. The emperor listened to the 
charge with surprise, and disavowed the act, which he said 
could only have been imputed to him by his enemies. 



rvj SEIZURE OF MOl^TEZUMA. 31 

Cortes expressed his belief in his declaration, but added, that, 
to prove it true, it would be necessary to send for Quauhpo- 
poca and his accomplices, that they might be examined and 105 
dealt with according to their deserts. To this Montezuma 
made no objection. Taking from his wrist, to which it was 
attached, a precious stone, the royal signet, on which was 
cut the figure of the war-god, he gave it to one of his nobles, 
with orders to show it to the Aztec govenor, and require his no 
instant presence in the capital, together with all those who 
had been accessory to the murder of the Spaniards. If he 
resisted, the officer was empowered to call in the aid of the 
neighbouring towns to enforce the mandate. 

When the messenger had gone, Cortes assured the monarch 115 
that this prompt compliance with his request convinced him 
of his innocence. But it was important that his own sove- 
reign should be equally convinced of it. Nothing would 
promote this so much as for Montezuma to transfer his resi- 
dence to the palace occupied by the Spaniards, till on the 120 
arrival of Quauhpopoca the affair could be fully investigated. 
Such an act of condescension would, of itself, show a personal 
regard for the Spaniards, incompatible with the base conduct 
alleged against him, and would fully absolve him from' all 
suspicion ! ^^^ 

Montezuma listened to this proposal, and the flimsy 
reasoning with which it was covered, with looks of profound 
amazement. He became pale as death; but in a moment 
his face flushed with resentment, as with the pride of offended 
dignity, he exclaimed, " When was it ever heard that a great 130 
prince, like myself, voluntarily left his own palace to become 
a prisoner in the hands of strangers ! " 

Cortes assured him he would not go as a prisoner. He 
would experience nothing but respectful treatment from the 
Spaniards ; would be surrounded by his own household, and 135 
hold intercourse with his people as usual. In short, it would 
be but a change of residence, from one of his palaces to 
another, a circumstance of frequent occurrence with him. It 
was in vain. " If I should consent to such a degradation," 
he answered, " my subjects never would ! " When further 140 



32 CONQUEST OV MEXICO. [iV. 

pressed, lie offered to give up one of his sons and o± his 
daughters to remain as hostages with the Spaniards, so that 
he might be spared this disgrace. 

Two hours passed in this fruitless discussion, till a high- 

145 mettled cavalier, Velasquez de Leon, impatient of the long 
delay, and seeing that the attempt, if not the deed, must ruin 
them, cried out, " Why do we waste words on this barbarian'? 
We have gone too far to recede now. Let us seize him, and, 
if he resists, plunge our swords into his body ! " The fierce 

150 tone and menacing gestures with which this was uttered 
alarmed the monarch, who incpiired of Marina what the 
angry Spaniard said. The interpreter explained it in as 
gentle a manner as she could, beseeching him "to accompany 
the white men to their quarters, where he would be treated 

155 with all respect and kindness, while to refuse them would 
but expose himself to violence, perhaps to death." Marina, 
doubtless, spoke to her sovereign as she thought, and no 
one had better opportunity of knowing the truth than 
herself. 

160 This last appeal shook the resolution of Montezuma. It 
was in vain that the unhappy prince looked around for 
sympathy or support. As his eyes wandered over the stern 
visages and iron forms of the Spaniards, he felt that his 
hour was indeed come ; and, with a voice scarcely audible 

165 from emotion, he consented to accompany the strangers — to 
quit the palace, whither he was never more to return. 

No sooner had the Spaniards got his consent than orders 

. were given for the royal litter. The nobles who bore and 

attended it could scarcely believe their senses when they 

170 learned their master's purpose. But pride now came to 
Montezuma's aid, and since he must go, he preferred that it 
should appear to be with his own free-will. As the royal 
retinue, escorted by the Spaniards, marched through the 
street with downcast eyes and dejected mien, the people 

175 assembled in crowds, and a rumour ran among them that the 
emperor was carried off by force to the quarters of the 
white men. A tumult would have soon arisen but for the 
intervention of Montezuma himself, who called out to thQ 



IV.] HtS TREATMENT BY THE SPANIARDS. 83 

people to disperse, as he was visiting his friends of his own 
accord, thus sealing his ignominy by a declaration which 180 
deprived his subjects of the only excuse for resistance. On 
Reaching the quarters, he sent out his nobles with similar 
assurances to the mob, and renewed orders to return to their 
homes. 

He was received with ostentatious respect by the Spaniards, 185 
and selected. the suite of apartments which best pleased him. 
They were soon furnished with fine cotton tapestries, feather- 
work, and all the elegances of Indian upholstery. He was 
attended by such of his household as he chooC, his wives and 
his pages, and was served with his usual pomp and luxury at 190 
his meals. He gave audience, as in his own palace, to his 
subjects, who were admitted to his presence, few, indeed, at 
a time, under the pretext of greater order and decorum. 
From the Spaniards themselves he met with a formal 
deference. No one, not even the general himself, approached 195 
him without doffing his casque, and rendering the obeisance 
due to his rank. Nor did they ever sit in his presence, 
without being invited by him to do so. 

With all this studied ceremony and show of homage, there 
was one circumstance which too clearly proclaimed to his 200 
people that their sovereign was a prisoner. In the front of 
the palace a patrol of sixty men was established, and the 
same number in the rear. Twenty of each corps mounted 
guard at once, maintaining a careful watch day and night. 

Things were in this posture, when the arrival of Quauh- 205 
popoca from the coast was announced. He was accompanied 
by his son and fifteen Aztec chiefs. He had travelled all the 
way, borne, as became his high rank, in a litter. On entering 
Montezuma's presence, he threw over his dress the coarse 
robe of neqiien, and made the usual humiliating acts of 210 
obeisance. The poor parade of courtly ceremony was the 
more striking, when placed in contrast with the actual 
condition of the parties. 

The Aztec governor was coldly received by his master, 
who referred the affair to the examination of Cortes. It was, 215 
doubtless, conducted in a sufficiently summary maimer. To 

VOL. II. D 



34 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iV. 

the general's query, whether the cacique was the subject of 
Montezuma, he replied, "And what other sovereign could I 
serve 'i " implying that his sway was universal. He did not 

220 deny his share in the transaction, nor did he seek to shelter 
himself under the royal authority, till sentence of death was 
passed on him and his followers, when they all laid the 
blame of their proceedings on Montezuma. They were 
condemned to be burnt alive in the area before the palace. 

225 The funeral piles were made of heaps of arrows, javelins, 
and other weapons, drawn by the emperor's permission from 
the arsenals round the great teocalli, where they had been 
stored to supply means of defence in times of civic tumult or 
insurrection. By this politic precaution, Cortes proposed to 

230 remove a ready means of annoyance in case of hostilities with 
the citizens. 

To crown the whole of these extraordinary proceedings, 
Cortes, while preparations for the execution were going on, 
entered the emperor's apartment, attended by a soldier 

235 bearing fetters in his hands. With a severe aspect, he 
charged the monarch with being the original contriver of the 
violence offered to the Spaniards, as was now proved by the 
declaration of his own instruments. Such a crime, which 
merited death in a subject, could not be atoned for, even by 

240 a sovereign, without some punishment. So saying, he 
ordered the soldier to fasten the fetters on Montezuma's 
ankles. He coolly waited till it was done ; then, turning his 
back on the monarch, quitted the room. 

Montezuma was speechless under the infliction of this 

245 last insult. He was like one struck down by a heavy blow, 
that deprives him of all his faculties. He offered no resist- 
ance. But, though he spoke not a word, low, ill-suppressed 
moans, from time to time, intimated the anguish of his 
spirit. His attendants, bathed in tears, offered him their 

250 consolations. They tenderly held his feet in their arms, and 
endeavoured, by inserting their shawls and mantles, to 
relieve them from the pressure of the iron. But they could 
not reach the iron which had penetrated into his soul. He 
lelt that he was no more a king. 



lY.] HIS TREATMENT BY THE SPANIAEDS. 35 

Meanwhile, the execution of the dreadful doom was going 255 
forward in the court-yard. The whole Spanish force was 
under arms, to check any interruption that might be offered 
by the Mexicans. But none was attempted. The populace 
gazed in silent wonder, regarding it as the sentence of the 
emperor. The manner of the execution, too, excited less 260 
surprise, from their familiarity with similar spectacles, 
aggravated, indeed, by additional horrors, in their own 
diabolical sacrifices. The Aztec lord and his companions, 
bound hand and foot to the blazing piles,, submitted without 
a cry or a complaint to their terrible fate. 265 

When the dismal tragedy was ended, Cortes re-entered 
Montezuma's apartment. Kneeling down, he unclasped his 
shackles with his own hand, expressing at the same time his 
regret that so disagreeable a duty as that of subjecting him 
to such a punishment had been imposed on him. This last 270 
indignity had entirely crushed the spirit of Montezuma ; 
and the monarch, whose frown, but a week since, would 
have made the nations of Anahuac tremble to their remotest 
borders, was now craven enough to thank his deliverer for 
his freedom, as for a great and unmerited boon ! 275 

Not long after, the Spanish general, conceiving that his 
royal captive was sufficiently humbled, expressed his willing- 
ness that he should return, if he inclined, to his own 
palace. Montezuma declined it; alleging, it is said, that 
his nobles had more than once importuned him to resent 280 
his injuries by taking arms against the Spaniards; and 
that, were he in the midst of them, it would be difficult to 
avoid it, or to save Ms capital from bloodshed and anarchy. 



CHAPTER y. 

Montezuma's deportment — his life in the Spanish quarters — 
meditated insurrection — lord of tezcuoo seized — further 
measures of cortes. 

1520. 

THE settlement of La Villa Rica de Vera Cruz was of the 
last importance to the Spaniards. It was the port by 
which they were to communicate with Spain; the strong 
post on which they were to retreat in case of disaster, and 
5 which was to bridle their enemies and give security to their 
allies; the point d^appui for all their operations in the 
country. It was of great moment, therefore, that the care 
of it should be entrusted to proper hands. 

A cavalier, named Alonso de Grado, had been sent by 

10 Cortes to take the place made vacant by the death of 
Escalante. He was a person of greater repute in civil than 
military matters, and would be more likely, it was thought, 
to maintain peaceful relations with the natives, than a person 
of more belligerent spirit. Cortes made — what was rare 

15 with him— a bad choice. He soon received such accounts 
of troubles in the settlement from the exactions and negli- 
gence of the new governor, that he resolved to supersede him. 
He now gave the command to Gonzalo de Sandoval, a 
young cavalier, who had displayed through the whole cam- 

20 paign singular intrepidity united with sagacity and discretion, 
while the good humour with which he bore every privation, 
and his affable manners, made him a favourite with all, 
privates as well as officers. Sandoval accordingly left the 
camp for the coast. Cortes did not mistake bis man a 

25 econd time. 



v.] HIS LIFE IN THE SPANISH QUARTEES. 37 

^Notwithstanding the actual control exercised by the 
Spaniards through their royal captive, Cortes felt some 
uneasiness, when he reflected that it was in the power of 
the Indians, at any time, to cut off his communications with 
the_ surrounding country, and hold him a prisoner in the 30 
capital. He proposed, therefore, to build two vessels of 
sufficient size to transport his forces across the lake, and 
thus to render himself independent of the causeways 
Montezuma was pleased with the idea of seeing those 
wonderful "water-houses," of which he had heard so much, 35 
and readily gave permission to have the timber in the royal 
forests felled for the purpose. The work was placed under 
the direction of Martin Lopez, an experienced ship-builder 
Orders were also given to Sandoval to send up from the 
coast a supply of cordage, sails, iron, and other necessary 40 
materials, which had been judiciously saved on the destruction 
of the fleet. 

The Aztec emperor, meanwhile, was passing his days in 
the Spanish quarters in no very different manner from what 
he had been accustomed to in his own palace. His keepers 45 
were too well aware of the value of their prize, not to do 
everything which could make his captivity comfortable, and 
disguise it from himself. After Montezuma's breakfast, which 
was a light meal of fruits or vegetables,' Cortes or some of 
his officers usually waited on him, to learn if he had any 50 
commands for them. He then devoted some time to busi- 
ness. He gave audience to those of his subjects who had 
petitions to prefer, or suits to settle. The statement of the 
party was drawn up on the hieroglyphic scrolls, which were 
submitted to a number of counsellors or judges, who assisted 55 
him with their advice on these occasions. Envoys from 
foreign states or his own remote provinces and cities were 
also admitted, and the Spaniards were careful that the 
same precise and punctilious etiquette should be maintained 
towards the royal puppet, as when in the plenitude of his 60 
authority. 

After business was despatched, Montezuma often amused 
himself with seeing the Castilian troops go through their 



38 '. CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [V. 

military exercises. At other times he would challenge 

65 Cortes or his officers to play at some of the national games. 
A favourite one was called totoloque, played with golden 
balls aimed at a target or mark of the same metal. Monte- 
zuma usually staked something of value — precious stones or 
ingots of gold. He lost with good humour ; indeed, it was 

70 of little consequence whether he won or lost, since he 
generally gave away his winnings to his attendants. He 
had, in truth, a most munificent spirit. His enemies accused 
him of avarice. But, if he were avaricious, it could have 
been only that he might have the more to give away. 

75 Each of the Spaniards had several Mexicans, male and 
female, who attended to his cooking and various other 
personal offices. Cortes, considering that the maintenance of 
this host of menials was a heavy tax on the royal exchequer, 
ordered them to be dismissed, excepting one to be retained 

80 for each soldier. Montezuma, on learning this, pleasantly 
remonstrated with the general on his careful economy, as 
unbecoming a royal establishment, and, countermanding the 
order, caused additional accommodations to be provided for 
the attendants, and their pay to be doubled. 

85 While thus indifferent to his treasures, he was keenly 
sensitive to personal slight or insult. When a common 
soldier once -spoke to him angrily, the tears came into the 
monarch's eyes, as it made liim feel the true character of 
his impotent condition. Cortes, on becoming acquainted 

90 with it, was so much incensed, that he ordered the soldier 
to be hanged; but, on Montezuma's intercession, commuted 
this severe sentence for a flogging. The general was not 
willing that any one but himself should treat his royal 
captive with indignity. Montezuma was desired to procure 

95 a further mitigation of the punishment. But he refused, 
saying, " that, if a similar insult had been offered by any 
one of his subjects to Malintzin, he would have resented it 
in like manner." 

Such instances of disrespect were very rare. Montezuma's 

100 amiable and inoffensive manners, together with his liberality, 

the most popular of virtues with the vulgar, made him 



v.] HIS LIFE IN THE SPANISH QUARTEES. 39 

generally beloved by the Spaniards. The arrogance, for 
which he had been so distinguished in his prosperous days, 
deserted him in his fallen fortunes. His character in 
captivity seems to have undergone some of that change 105 
Avhich takes place in the wild animals of the forest, when 
caged within the walls of the menagerie. 

The Indian monarch knew the name of every man in the 
army, and was careful to discriminate his proper rank. For 
some he showed a strong partiality. He obtained from the 110 
general a favourite page, named Orteguilla, who, being in 
constant attendance on his person, soon learned enough of 
the Mexican language to be of use to his countrymen. 
Montezuma took great pleasure, also, in the society of 
Velasquez de Leon, the captain of his guard, and Pedro de 115 
Alvarado, Tonatiuh, or "the Sun," as he was called by the 
Aztecs, from his yellow hair and sunny countenance. 

JS'otwithstanding the care taken to cheat him of the tedium 
of captivity, the royal prisoner cast a wistful glance now 
and then beyond the walls of his residence to the ancient 120 
haunts of business or pleasure. He intimated a desire to 
offer up his devotions at the great temple, where he was 
once so constant in his worship. The suggestion startled 
Cortes. It was too reasonable, however, for him to object 
to it, without wholly discarding the appearances which he 125 
was desirous to maintain. Eut he secured Montezuma's 
return by sending an escort with him of a hundred and 
fifty soldiers under the same resolute cavaliers who had 
aided in his seizure. He told him also, that, in case of any 
attempt to escape, his life would instantly pay the forfeit, 130 
Thus guarded, the Indian prince visited the teocaU% where 
he was received with the usual state, and, after performing 
his devotions, he returned again to his quarters. 

Montezuma showed, also, an inclination to engage in the 
pleasures of the chase, of which he was once immoderately 135 
fond. He had large forests reserved for the purpose on the 
other side of the lake. As the Spanish brigantines were 
now completed, Cortes proposed to transport him and his 
suite across the water in them. They were of a good size, 



40 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [v. 

140 strongly built. The largest was mounted with four falconets, 
or small guns. It was protected by a gaily-coloured awning 
stretched over the deck, and the royal ensign of Castile 
floated proudly from the mast. On board of this yessel, 
Montezuma, delighted with the opportunity of witnessing 

145 the nautical skill of the white men, embarked with a train 
of Aztec nobles and a numerous guard of Spaniards. 

But while he resigned himself without a struggle to his 
inglorious fate, there were others who looked on it with 
very different emotions. Among them was his nephew 

150 Cacama, lord of Tezcuco, a young man not more than 
twenty-five years of age. He was the same prince who had 
been sent by Montezuma to welcome the Spaniards on their 
entrance into the Valley ; and when the question of their 
reception was first debated in the council, he had advised to 

155 admit them honourably as ambassadors of a foreign prince, 
and, if they should prove different from what they pretended, 
it would be time enough then to take up arms against them. 
That time, he thought, had now come. 

The young Tezcucan chief beheld, with indignation and 

160 no slight contempt, the abject condition of his uncle. He 
endeavoured to rouse him to manly exertion, but in vain. 
He then set about forming a league with several of the 
neighbouring caciques to rescue his kinsman, and to break 
the detested yoke of the strangers. He called on the lord 

165 of Iztapalapan, Montezuma's brother, the lord of Tlacopan, 
and some others of most authority, all of whom entered 
heartily into his views. 

These intrigues could not be conducted so secretly as not 
to reach the ears of Cortes, who, with his characteristic 

170 promptness, would have marched at once on Tezcuco, and 
trodden out the spark of " rebellion," before it had time to 
burst into a flame. But from this he was dissuaded by 
Montezuma, who represented that Cacama was a man of 
resolution, backed by a powerful force, and not to be put 

175 down without a desperate struggle. He consented, there- 
fore, to negotiate, and sent a message of amicable expostu- 
lation to the cacique. He received a haughty answer in 



v.] MEDITATED INSURRECTION. 41 

return. Cortes rejoined in a more menacing tone, asserting 
the supremacy of his own sovereign, the emperor of Castile. 
To this Cacama replied, "He acknowledged no such authority; iso 
he knew nothing of the Spanish sovereign nor his people, 
nor did he wish to know anything of them." Montezuma 
was not more successful in his application to Cacama to 
come to Mexico, and allow him to mediate his diflerences 
with the Spaniards, with whom he assured the prince he was 185 
residing as a friend. But the young lord of Tezcuco was 
not to be so duped. He understood the position of his 
uncle, and replied, "that, when he did visit his capital, it 
would he to rescue it, as well as the emperor himself, and 
their common gods, from bondage. He should come, not 190 
with his hand in his bosom, but on his sword, to drive out 
the detested strangers who had brought such dishonour on 
their country." 

Cortes, incensed at this tone of defiance, would again 
have put himself in motion to punish it, but Montezuma 195 
interposed M^th his more politic arts. He had several of 
the Tezcucan nobles, he said, in his pay ; and it would be 
easy, through their means, to secure Cacama's person, and 
thus break up the confederacy at once, without bloodshed. 

By the contrivance of these faithless nobles, Cacama was 200 
induced to hold a conference, relative to the proposed in- 
vasion,^ in a villa which ovei'huug the Tezcucan lake, not far 
from his capital. Like most of the principal edifices, it was 
raised so as to admit the entrance of boats beneath it. In 
the midst of the conference, Cacama was seized by the 205 
conspirators, hurried on board a bark in readiness for the 
purpose, and transported to Mexico. When brought into 
Montezuma's presence, the high-spirited chief abated nothing 
of his proud and lofty bearing. He taxed his uncle with 
his perfidy, and a pusillanimity so unworthy of his former 210 
character, and of the royal house from which he was 
descended. By the emperor he was referred to Cortes, 
who, holding royalty but cheap in an Indian prince, put 
him in fetters. 

Cortes still wanted to get into his hands the other chiefs 215 



42 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [V. 

who had entered into the confederacy with Cacama. This 
was no difficult matter. Montezuma's authority was abso- 
lute, everywhere but in his own palace. By his command, 
the caciques were seized, each in his own city, and brought 

220 in chains to Mexico, where Cortes placed them in strict 
confinement with their leader. 

He had now triumphed over all his enemies. He had 
set his foot on the necks of princes ; and the great chief of 
the Aztec empire was but a convenient tool in his hands for 

225 accomplishing his purposes. His first use of this power 
was, to ascertain the actual resources of the monarchy. 
He sent several parties of Spaniards, guided by the natives, 
to explore the regions where gold was obtained. It was 
gleaned mostly from the beds of rivers, several hundred 

230 miles from the capital. 

His next object was, to learn if there existed any good 
natural harbour for shipping on the Atlantic coast, as the 
road of Yera Cruz left no protection against the tempests 
that at certain seasons swept over these seas. Montezuma 

235 showed him a chart on which the shores of the Mexican 
Gulf were laid down with tolerable accuracy. Cortes, after 
carefully inspecting it, sent a commission, consisting of ten 
Spaniards, several of them pilots, and some Aztecs, who 
descended to Vera Cruz, and made a careful survey of the 

240 coast for nearly sixty leagues south of that settlement. A 
spot was selected as the site of a fortified post, and the 
general sent a detachment of a hundred and fifty men, 
under Velasquez de Leon, to plant a colony there. 



CHAPTER VI. 

MONTEZUMA SWEAES ALLEGIANCE TO SPAIN — ROYAL TEEAStJRES — 
THEIR DIVISION — CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN THE TEOCALLI — DIS- 
CONTENTS OF THE AZTECS — CORTES LEAVES THE CAPITAL. 

1520. 

CORTES now felt his authority sufficiently assured to 
demand from Montezuma a formal recognition of the 
supremacy of the Spanish Emperor. The Indian monarch 
had intimated his willingness to acquiesce in this on their 
very first interview. He did not object, therefore, to call 5 
together his principal caciques for the purpose. When they 
were assembled, he made them an address, briefly stating 
the object of the meeting. They were all acquainted, he 
said, with the ancient tradition, that the great Being who 
had once ruled over the land had declared, on his departure, 10 
that he should return at some future time and resume his 
sway. That time had now arrived. The white men had 
come from the quarter where the sun rises, beyond the 
ocean, to which the good deity had withdrawn. They were 
sent by their master to reclaim the obedience of his ancient 15 
subjects. For himself he was ready to acknowledge his 
authority. " You have been faithful vassals of mine," 
continued Montezuma, " during the many years that I have 
sat on the throne of my fathers. I now expect that you 
will show me this last act of obedience by acknowledging 20 
the great king beyond the waters to be your lord also, 
and that you will pay him tribute in the same manner as 
you have hitherto done to me." As he concluded, his voice 
was nearly stifled by his emotion, and the tears fell fast 
dovni his cheeks. 25 



44 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [vi. 

The oaths of allegiance were then administered with all 
due solemnity, attested by the Spaniards present, and a full 
record of the proceedings was drawn up by the royal notary, 
to be sent to Spain. 

80 Having thus secured this great feudatory to the crown of 
Castile, Cortes suggested that it would be M^ell for the Aztec 
chiefs to send his sovereign such a gratuity as would con- 
ciliate his good-will by convincing him of the loyalty of his 
new vassals. Montezuma consented that his collectors 

35 should visit the principal cities and provinces, attended by a 
number of Spaniards, to receive the customary tributes, in 
the name of the Castilian sovereign. In a few weeks most 
of them returned, bringing back large quantities of gold 
and silver plate, rich stuffs, and the various commodities 

40 in which the taxes were usually paid. 

To this store Montezuma added, on his own account, the 
treasure of his father Axayacatl, some part of which had 
been already given to the Spaniards. When brought into 
the quarters, the gold alone was sufficient to make three 

45 great heaps. It consisted partly of native grains ; part had 
been melted into bars ; but the greatest portion was in 
utensils, and various kinds of ornaments and curious toys, 
together with imitations of birds, insects, or flowers, 
executed with uncommon truth and delicacy. There were 

50 also quantities of collars, bracelets, wands, fans, and other 
trinkets, in which the gold and feather work were richly 
powdered with pearls and precious stones. Many of the 
articles were even more admirable for the workmanship 
than for the value of the materials, such, indeed, as no 

55 monarch in Europe could boast in his dominions ! 

Magnificent as it was, Montezuma expressed his regret 
that the treasure was no larger. "Take it," he added, 
"Malintzin, and let it be recorded in your annals that 
Montezuma sent this present to your master." 

60 The Spaniards gazed with greedy eyes on the display 
of riches, now their own, which far exceeded all hitherto 
seen in the New World, and fell nothing short of the 
El Dorado which their glowing imaginations had depicted. 



VI.] HOYAL TREAStJRES. 45 

They clamoured loudly for an immediate division of the 
spoil, which the general would have postponed till the 65 
tributes from the remoter provinces had been gathered in. 

Some difficulty occurred in the division of the treasure, 
from the want of weights, which, strange as it appears, con- 
sidering their advancement in the arts, were unknown to 
the Aztecs. The deficiency was soon supplied by the 70 
Spaniards, however, with scales and weights of their own 
manufacture, probably not the most exact. With the aid of 
these they ascertained the value of the royal fifth to be 
thirty -two thousand and four hundred pesos de oro. 

The whole amounted, therefore, to one hundred and sixty- 75 
two thousand pesos de oro, independently of the fine 
ornaments and jewellery, the value of which Cortes computes 
at five hundred thousand ducats more. The whole amount 
of the treasure, reduced to our own currency, and making 
allowance for the change in the value of gold since the 80 
beginning of the sixteenth century, was about six million 
three hundred thousand dollars, or one million four hundred 
and seventeen thousand pounds sterling. 

The division of the spoil was a work of some difficulty. 
A perfectly equal division of it among the conquerors would 85 
have given them more than three thousand pounds sterling 
a-piece ; a magnificent booty ! But one-fifth was to be 
deducted for the Crown. An equal portion was reserved 
for the general, pursuant to the tenor of his commission. 
A large sum was then allowed to indemnify him and the 90 
governor of Cuba for the charges of the expedition and the 
loss of the fleet. The garrison at Yera Cruz was also to be 
provided for. Ample compensation was made to the prin- 
cipal cavaliers. The cavalry, arquebusiers, and crossbow men, 
each received double pay. So that when the turn of the 95 
common soldiers came, there remained not more than a 
hundred pesos de oro for each ; a sum so insignificant, in 
comparison with their expectations, that several refused to 
accept it. 

Loud murmurs now rose among the men. " Was it for 100 
this," they said, "that we left our homes and families, 



46 CONQUEST OP MEXICO. [vi. 

perilled our lives, submitted to fatigue and famine, and all 
for so contemptible a pittance ! 

Cortes used all his authority and insinuating eloquence to 

105 calm the passions of his men. It was a delicate crisis. He 
was sorry, he said, to see them so unmindful of the duty of 
loyal soldiers, and cavaliers of the Cross, as to brawl like 
common banditti over their booty. The division, he assured 
them, had been made on perfectly fair and equitable prin- 

110 ciples. As to his own share, it was no more than was 
warranted by his commission. Yet, if they thought it too 
much, he was willing to forego his just claims, and divide 
with the poorest soldier. Gold, however welcome, was not 
the chief object of his ambition. If it were theirs, they 

115 should still reflect, that the present treasure was little in 
comparison with what awaited thera hereafter ; for had they 
not the whole country and its mines at their disposal 1 It 
was only necessary that they should not give an opening to 
the enemy, by their discord, to circumvent and to crush 

120 them. With these honied words he succeeded in calming 

the storm for the present ; while in private he took more 

effectual means, by presents judiciously administered, to 

mitigate the discontents of the importunate and refractory. 

To many of the soldiers, indeed, it mattered little whether 

125 their share of the booty were more or less. Gaming is a 
deep-rooted passion in the Spaniard, and the sudden acqui- 
sition of riches furnished both the means and the motive 
for its indulgence. Cards were easily made out of old 
parchment drum-heads, and in a few days most of the prize- 

130 money, obtained with so much toil and suffering, had 
changed hands, and many of the improvident soldiers closed 
the campaign as poor as they had commenced it. Others, it 
is true, more prudent, followed the example of their officers, 
who, with the aid of the royal jewellers, converted their gold 

135 into chains, services of plate, and other portable articles of 
ornament or use. 

Cortes seemed now to have accompKshed the great objects 
of the expedition. The Indian monarch had declared him- 
self the feudatory of the Spanish. His authority, his 



Vl] THEIR DIVISION. 47 

revenues, were at the disposal of the general. The con- 140 
quest of Mexico seemed to be achieved, and that without a 
blow. But it was far from being achieved. One important 
step yet remained to be taken, towards which the Spaniards 
had hitherto made little progress — the conversion of the 
natives. With all the exertions of Father Olmedo, neither 145 
Montezuma nor his subjects showed any disposition to 
abjure the faith of their fathers. The bloody exercises of 
their religion, on the contrary, were celebrated with all the 
usual circumstance and pomp of sacrifice before the eyes of 
the Spaniards. • 150 

Unable further to endure these abominations, Cortes, 
attended by several of his cavaliers, waited on Montezuma. 
He told the emperor that the Christians could no longer 
consent to have the services of their religion shut up within 
the narrow walls of tiie garrison. They wished to spread 155 
its light far abroad, and to open to the people a full partici- 
pation in the blessings of Christianity. For this purpose 
they requested that the great teocalli should be delivered 
up, as a fit place where their worship might be conducted in 
the presence of the whole city. 160 

Montezuma listened to the proposal with visible conster- 
nation. Amidst all his troubles he had leaned for support 
on his own faith, and, indeed, it was in obedience to it that 
he had shown such deference to the Spaniards as the mys- 
terious messengers predicted by the oracles. " Why," said 165 
he, " Malintzin, why will you urge matters to an extremity, 
that must surely bring down the vengeance of our gods, and 
stir up an insurrection among my people, who will never 
endure this profanation of their temples." 

Cortes, seeing how greatly he was moved, made a sign to 170 
his officers to withdraw. When left alone with the inter- 
preters, he told the emperor that he would use his influence 
to moderate the zeal of his followers, and persuade them to 
be contented with one of the sanctuaries of the ieocalU. If 
that were not granted, they should be obliged to take it by 175 
force, and to roll down the images of his false deities in the 
face of the city. "We fear not for our lives," he added, 



48 CONQUEST or MEXICO. [vi. 

" for, thougli our numbers are few, tlie arm of the true God 
is over us." Montezuma, much agitated, told him that he 

180 would confer with the priests. 

The result of the conference was favourable to the 
Spaniards, who were now allowed to occupy one of the 
sanctuaries as a place of worship. The tidings spread great 
joy throughout the camp They might now go forth in open 

185 day and publish their religion to the assembled capital. No 
time was lost in availing themselves of the permission. The 
sanctuary was cleansed of its disgusting impurities. An 
altar was raised, surmounted by a crucifix and the image of 
the Virgin. Instead of the gold and jewels which blazed 

190 on the neighbouring pagan shrine, its walls were decorated 
with fresh garlands of flowers ; and an old soldier was 
stationed to watch over the chapel, and guard it from 
intrusion. 

When these arrangements were completed, the whole 

195 army moved in solemn procession up the winding ascent 
of the pyramid. Entering the sanctuary, and clustering 
round its portals, they listened reverently to the service of 
the mass, as it was performed by the Fathers Olmedo and 
Diaz. And as the beautiful Te Deiim rose towards heaven, 

200 Cortes and his soldiers kneeling on the ground, with tears 
streaming from their eyes, poured forth their gratitude to the 
Almighty for this glorious triumph of the Cross. 

The people had borne with patience all the injuries and 
affronts hitherto put on them by the Spaniards. They had 

205 seen their sovereign dragged as a captive from his own 
palace ; his ministers butchered before his eyes ; his trea- 
sures seized and appropriated ; himself in a manner deposed 
from his royal supremacy. AH this they had seen without 
a struggle to prevent it. But the profanation of their 

210 temples touched a deeper feeling, of which the priesthood 
were not slow to take advantage. 

The first intimation of this change of feeling was gathered 
from Montezuma himself. Instead of his usual cheerful- 
ness, he appeared grave and abstracted, and instead of 

215 seeking, as he was wont, the society of the Spaniards, 



Vl] discontents of the AZTECS. 49 

seemed rather to shun it. It was noticed, too that con- 
ferences were more frequent between him and the nobles, 
and especiaUy the priests. 

Not many days elapsed, however, before Cortes received 
an invitation, or rather a summons, from the emperor, to 220 
attend him in his apartment. The general went with some 
feelinc^s of anxiety and distrust, taking with him UUa, 
captain of the guard, and two or three other trusty cavahers. 
Montezuma received them with cold civility, and, turning to 
the general, told him that all his predictions had come to 225 
pass The gods of his country had been offended by the 
violation of their temples. They had threatened the priests 
that they would forsake the city, if the sacrilegious strangers 
Avere not driven from it, or rather sacrificed on the altars, 
in expiation of their crimes. The monarch assured the 230 
Christians, it was from regard to their safety that he com- 
municated this; and, "if you have any regard for it your- 
selves " he concluded, "you will leave the country without 
delay. I have only to raise my finger, and every Aztec m 
the land will rise in arms against you." There was no reason 235 
to doubt his sincerity ; for Montezuma, whatever evils had 
been brought on him by the white men, held them m 
reverence as a race more highly gifted than his own. 

Cortes was too much master of his feelings to show how 
far he was startled by this intelligence. He replied with 240 
admirable coolness, that he should regret much to leave the 
capital so precipitately, when he had no vessels to take him 
from the country. If it were not for this there could be no 
obstacle to his leaving it at once. He should also^ regret 
another step to which he should be driven, if he quitted it 245 
under these circumstances- that of taking the emperor 

along with him. -, . , ^ . • 

Montezuma was evidently troubled by this last suggestion. 
He inquired how long it would take to build the vessels, 
and finally consented to send a sufficient number of work- 250 
men to the coast, to act under the orders of the Spaniards ; 
meanwhile, he would use his authority to restram the 
impatience of the people, under the assurance that the 

VOL. II. E 



50 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VI 

white men would leave the laud when the means for it were 

255 provided. He kept his word. A large body of Aztec 
artisans left the capital with the most experienced Castilian 
ship-builders, and, descending to Yera Cruz, began at once to 
fell the timber, and build a sufficient number of ships to 
transport the Spaniards back to their own country. The 

260 work went forward with apparent alacrity. But those who 
had the direction of it, it is said, received private instructions 
from the general to interpose as many delays as possible, in 
hopes of receiving in the meantime such reinforcements 
from Europe, as would enable him to maintain his ground. 

265 The whole aspect of things was now changed in the 
Castilian quarters. Instead of the security and repose in 
which the troops had of late indulged, they felt a gloomy 
apprehension of danger. Every precaution that prudence 
could devise was taken to meet it. The soldier, as he threw 

270 himself on his mats for repose, kept on his armour. He 
ate, drank, slept, with his weapons by his side. His horse 
stood ready caparisoned, day and night, with the bridle 
hanging at the saddle-bow. The guns were carefully planted, 
so as to command the great avenues. The sentinels were 

275 doubled, and every man, of whatever rank, took his turn in 
mounting guard. The garrison was in a state of siege. 
Such was the uncomfortable position of the army, when in 
the beginning of May Cortes was forced to leave the capital, 
to meet an expedition under Narvaez sent by Velasquez, the 

280 governor of Cuba. This expedition must be defeated at all 
hazards, or the fruit of all his past labours would be lost. 

The command of the garrison, in his absence, he intrusted 
to Pedro de Alvarado— the Tonatiuh of the Mexicans — a 
man possessed of many commanding qualities, of an intrepid, 

285 though somewhat arrogant spirit, and his warm, personal 
friend. He inculcated on him moderation and forbearance. 
He was to keep a close watch on Montezuma, for on the 
possession of the royal person rested aU their authority in 
the land. He was to show him the deference alike due to 

290 his high station, and demanded by policy. He was to pay 
uniform respect to the usages and the prejudices of the 



VI.] HE LEAVES THE CAPITAL. 51 

people ; remembering that though his small force would be 
large enough to overawe them in times of quiet, yet, should 
they be once roused, it would be swept away like chaff before 
the whirlwind. 295 

Erom Montezuma he exacted a promise to maintain the 
same friendly relations with his lieutenant which he had 
preserved towards himself. This, said Cortes, would be 
most grateful to his own master, the Spanish sovereign. 
Should the Aztec prince do otherwise, and lend himself to 300 
any hostile movement, he must be convinced that he would 
fall the first victim of it. 

He left in garrison, under Alvarado, one hundred and 
forty men, two-thirds of his whole force. With these 
remained all the artillery, the greater part of the little body 305 
of horse, and most of the arquebusiers. He took with him 
only seventy soldiers; but they were men of the most mettle 
in the army, and his staunch adherents. 

At Cholula he was joined by Velasquez de Leon with 
one hundred and twenty men and, subsequently by the 310 
garrison of Vera Cruz under Sandoval, making up a little 
army to two hundred and thirty-six men, with which to 
oppose Narvaez's army of nine hundred. By dint, however, 
of lavish promises, bribes and superior strategy, Cortes 
succeeded in defeating his opponent, and- in enlisting under 315 
his own banner the very soldiers who had been sent to 
thwart his plans. 



CHAPTER yil. 

INSURRECTION IN THE CAPITAL — RETURN OF CORTES— GENERAL SIGNS 
OF HOSTILITY — MASSACRE BY ALVARADO — RISING OF THE AZTECS. 

"VrO sooner had the struggle with his rival been decided 
jA in his favour, than Cortes despatched a courier with 
the tidings to the capital. In less than a fortnight, the 
same messenger returned with letters from Alvarado, con- 

5 veying the alarming information, that the Mexicans were 
in arms, and had vigorously assaulted the Spaniards in 
their own quarters. The enemy, he added, had burned 
the brigantines, by which Cortes had secured the means of 
retreat in case of the destruction of the bridges. They had 

10 attempted to force the defences, and had succeeded in par- 
tially undermining them, and they had overwhelmed the 
garrison with a tempest of missiles, which had killed several, 
and wounded a great number. The latter concluded with 
beseeching his commander to hasten to their relief, if he 

15 would save them, or keep his hold on the capital. 

On receiving this urgent message Cortes made all haste 
to return to the capital, and on the 26th of June, once 
more entered the great gates of the palace of Axayacatl. 
The first inquiries of the general were respecting the 

20 origin of the tumult. The accounts were various. Some 
imputed it to the desire of the Mexicans to release their 
sovereign from confinement ; others to the design of cutting 
off the garrison while crippled by the absence of Cortes and 
their countrymen. All agreed, however, in tracing the 

25 immediate cause to the violence of Alvarado. It was com- 
mon for the Aztecs to celebrate an annual festival in May, 



VII.] GENERAL SIGNS OF HOSTILITY. 53 

in honour of their patron war-god. It was called the "in- 
censing of Huitzilopotchli," and was commemorated by 
sacrifice, religious songs, and dances, in which most of the 
nobles engaged, for it was one of the great festivals which 30 
displayed the pomp of the Aztec ritual. As it was held in 
the court of the teocalU, in the immediate neighbourhood of 
the Spanish quarters, and as a part of the temple itself was 
reserved for a Christian chapel, the caciques asked permis- 
sion of Alvarado to perform their rites there. They requested 35 
also, it is said, to be allowed the presence of Montezuma. 
This latter petition Alvarado declined, in obedience to the 
injunctions of Cortes; but acquiesced in the former, on 
condition that the Aztecs should celebrate no human sacri- 
fices, and should come without weapons. 40 

They assembled accordingly on the day appointed, to 
the number of six hundred, at the smallest computation. 
They were dressed in their most magnificent gala costumes, 
with their graceful mantles of feather-work, sprinkled with 
precious stones, and their necks, arms, and legs, ornamented 45 
with collars and bracelets of gold. 

Alvarado and his soldiers attended as spectators, some of 
them taking their station at the gates, as if by chance, and 
others mingling in the crowd. They were all armed, a 
circumstance, which, as it was usual, excited no attention. 50 
The Aztecs were soon engrossed by the exciting movement 
of the dance, accompanied by their religious chant, and wild, 
discordant minstrelsy. While thus occupied, Alvarado and 
his men, at a concerted signal, rushed with drawn swords 
on their victims. Unprotected by armour or weapons of 55 
any kind, they were hewn down without resistance by their 
assailants, who, in their bloody work, showed no touch of 
pity or compunction. 

The pavement, says a writer of the age, ran with streams 
of blood, like water in a heavy shower. :N'ot an Aztec of 60 
all that gay company was left alive ! It was repeating the 
dreadful scene of Cholula, with the disgraceful addition, 
that the Spaniards, not content with slaughtering their 
victims, rifled them of the precious ornaments on their 



54 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VII. 

65 persons ! On this sad day fell the flower of the Aztec 
nobility. Not a family of note but had mourning and 
desolation brought within its walls; and many a doleful 
ballad, rehearsing the tragic incidents of the story, and 
adapted to the plaintive national airs, continued to be chanted 

70 by the natives long after the subjugation of the country. 

No sooner was the butchery accomplished, than the 
tidings spread like wildfire through the capital. Men could 
scarcely credit their senses. All they had hitherto suffered, 
the desecration of their temples, the imprisonment of their 

75 sovereign, the insults heaped on his person, all were for- 
gotten in this one act. Every feeling of long-smothered 
hostility and rancour now burst forth in the cry for ven- 
geance. Every former sentiment of superstitious dread 
was merged in that of inextinguishable hatred. It required 

80 no effort of the priests — though this was not wanting — to 
fan these passions into a blaze. The city rose in arms to a 
man; and on the following dawn, almost before the 
Spaniards could secure themselves in their defences, they 
were assaulted with desperate fury. Some of the assailants 

85 attempted to scale the walls ; others succeeded in partially 
undermining and in setting fire to the works. Whether 
they would have succeeded in carrying the place by storm is 
doubtful. But, at the prayers of the garrison, Montezuma 
himself interfered, and mounting the battlements, addressed 

90 the populace, whose fury he endeavoured to mitigate by 
urging considerations for his own safety. They respected 
their monarch so far as to desist from further attempts 
to storm the fortress, but changed their operations into a 
regular blockade. They threw up works around the palace 

95 to prevent the egress of the Spaniards. They suspended 
the tianguez, or market, to preclude the possibility of their 
enemy's obtaining supplies. And they then quietly sat 
down,*with feelings of sullen desperation, waiting for the 
hour when famine should throw their victims into their 
100 hands. 

The condition of the besieged, meanwhile, was sufficiently 
distressing. Their magazine^ of provisions, it is true, were 



Vll.] CORTlfiS EMBARRASSMENT. 65 

not exhausted ; but they suffered greatly from want of water, 
which, within the inclosure, was exceedingly brackish, for 
the soil was saturated with the salt of the surrounding 105 
element. In this extremity they discovered, it is said, 
a spring of fresh water in the area. Such springs were 
known in some other parts of the city ; but discovered first 
under these circumstances, it was accounted as nothing less 
than a miracle. Still they suffered much from their past no 
encounters. Seven Spaniards and many Tlascalans had 
fallen, and there was scarcely one of either nation who had 
not received several wounds. In this situation, far from 
their own countrymen, without expectation of succour from 
abroad, they seemed to have no alternative before them but 115 
a lingering death by famine, or one more dreadful on the 
altar of sacrifice. From this gloomy state they were relieved 
by the coming of their comrades. 

Cortes calmly listened to the explanation made by Alva- 
rado. But before it was ended, the conviction must have 120 
forced itself on his mind that he had made a wrong 
selection for this important post. Yet the mistake was 
natural. Alvarado was a cavalier of high family, gallant 
and chivalrous, and his warm personal friend. He had 
talents for action, was possessed of firmness and intrepidity, 125 
while his frank and dazzHng manners made the To7iatiuh an 
especial favourite with the Mexicans. But underneath this 
showy exterior the future conqueror of Guatemala concealed 
a heart rash, rapacious, and cruel. He was altogether 
destitute of that moderation which, in the delicate position 130 
he occupied, was a quality of more worth than aU the rest. 

When Alvarado had concluded his answers to the several 
interrogatories of Cortes, the brow of the latter darkened, 
as he said to his lieutenant, " You have done badly. You 
have been false to your trust. Your conduct has been that 135 
of a madman ! " And turning abruptly on his heel, he left 
him in undisguised displeasure. 

On the day that Cortes arrived, Montezuma had left his 
own quarters to welcome him. But the Spanish commander, 
distrusting, as it wguld seem, however unreasonably, his HO 



66 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VH. 

good faith, received him so coldly, that the Indian monarch 
withdrew, displeased and dejected, to his apartment. As 
the Mexican populace made no show of submission, and 
brought no supplies to the army, the general's ill-humour 

145 with the emperor continued. When, therefore, Montezuma 
sent some of the nobles to ask an interview with Cortes, the 
latter, turning to his own officers, haughtily exclaimed, 
" What have I to do with this dog of a king, who suffers us 
to starve before his eyes ? " 

150 His captains, among whom were Olid, de Avila, and 
Velasquez de Leon, endeavoured to mitigate his anger^ 
reminding him, in respectful terms, that had it not been 
for the emperor, the garrison might even now have been 
overwhelmed by the enemy. This remonstrance only chafed 

155 him the more. Turning fiercely to the Mexicans, he said, 
" Go, tell your master and his people to open the markets, 
or we will do it for them, at their cost ! " The chiefs, who 
had gathered the import of his previous taunt on their 
sovereign from his tone and gesture, or perhaps from some 

160 comprehension of his language, left his presence swelUng 
with resentment ; and in communicating his message, took 
care it should lose none of its effect. 

Shortly after, Cortes, at the suggestion, it is said, of 
Montezuma, released his brother Cuitlahua, lord of Iztapa- 

165 lapan. It was thought he might be of service in allaying 
the present tumult, and bringing the populace to a better state 
of feeling. But he returned no more to the fortress. He 
was a bold, ambitious prince, and the injuries he had 
received from the Spaniards rankled deep in his bosom. He 

170 was presumptive heir to the crown, which, by the Aztec laws 
of succession, descended much more frequently in a collateral 
than in a direct line. The people welcomed him as the 
representative of their reign, and chose him to supply the 
place of Montezuma during his captivity. Cuitlahua 

J 75 willingly accepted the post of honour and of danger. He 
was an experienced warrior, and exerted himself to reorganise 
the disorderly levies, and to arrange a more efficient plan of 
operations. The effect was soon, visible, 



VIL] EISING of the AZTECS. 57 

Cortes had so little doubt of his ability to over-awe the 
insurgents, that he wrote to that effect to the garrison of 180 
Villa Eica, by the same despatches in which he informed 
them of his safe arrival in the capital. But scarcely had his 
messenger been gone half an hour, when he returned breath- 
less with terror, and covered with wounds. 

" The city," he said, " was all in arms ! The drawbridges 185 
were raised, and the enemy would soon be upon them ! " He 
spoke truth. It was not long before a hoarse, sullen sound 
became audible, like that of the roaring of distant waters. 
It grew louder and louder; till, from the parapet surrounding 
the inclosure, the great avenues which led to it might be 190 
seen dark with the masses of warriors, who came rolling on 
in a confused tide towards the fortress. At the same time, 
the terraces and azoteas, or flat roofs, in the neighbourhood, 
were thronged with combatants brandishing their missiles, 
who seemed to have risen up as if by magic. It was a spec- 195 
tacle to appal the stoutest. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS— FURY OF THE MEXICANS — 
SALLY OF THE SPANIARDS — MONTEZUMA ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE 
— DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED. 

1520. 

THE palace of Axayacatl, in which the Spaniards were 
quartered, was a vast, irregular pile of stone buildings, 
having but one floor, except in the centre, where another 
story was added, consisting of a suite of apartments which 
6 rose like turrets on the main building of the edifice. A vast 
area stretched around, encompassed by a stone wall of no 
great height. This was supported by towers or bulwarks at 
certain intervals, which gave it some degree of strength, not, 
indeed, as compared with European fortifications, but 

10 sufiicient to resist the rude battering enginery of the Indians. 
The parapet had been pierced here and there with embrasures 
for the artillery, which consisted of thirteen guns; and 
smaller apertures were made in other parts for the con- 
venience of the arquebusiers. The Spanish forces found 

15 accommodations within the great building; but the numerous 
body of Tlascalan auxiliaries could have had no other shelter 
than what was afl'orded by barracks or sheds hastily con- 
structed for the purpose in the spacious court-yard. Thus 
crowded into a small compact compass, the whole army could 

20 be assembled at a moment's notice ; and, as the Spanish 
commander was careful to enf i>rce the strictest discipline and 
vigilance, it was scarcely possible that he could be taken by 
surprise. No sooner, therefore, did the trumpet call to arms, 
as the approach of the enemy was announced, than every 

25 soldier was at his post the cavalry mounted, the artillerymen 



VIII.] DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE QUARTERS. 59 

at their guns, and the archers and arquebusiers stationed so 
as to give the assailants a warm reception. 

On they came, with the companies, or irregular masses, 
into which the multitude was divided, rushing forward each 
in its own dense column, with many a gay banner displayed, 30 
and many a bright gleam of light reflected from helmet, 
arrow, and spear-head, as they were tossed about in their 
disorderly array. As they drew near the inclosure the 
Aztecs set up a hideous yell, or rather that shrill whistle 
used in fight by the nations of Anahuac. They followed 35 
this by a tempest of missiles — stones, darts, and arrows — 
which fell thick as rain on the besieged, while volleys of the 
same kind descended from the crowded terraces of the 
neighbourhood. 

The Spaniards waited until the foremost column had 40 
arrived within the best distance for giving effect to their fire, 
when a general discharge of artillery and arquebuses swept 
the ranks of the assailants, and mowed them down by 
hundreds. The Mexicans were 'familiar with the report of 
these formidable engines, as they had been harmlessly dis- 45 
charged on some holiday festival; but never till now had 
they witnessed their murderous power. They stood aghast 
for a moment, as with bewildered looks they staggered under 
the fury of the fire ; but, soon rallying, the bold barbarians 
uttered a piercing cry, and rushed forward over the prostrate 50 
bodies of their comrades. A second and a third volley 
checked their career, and threw them into disorder, but still 
they pressed on, letting off clouds of arrows; while their 
comrades on the roofs of the houses took more deliberate aim 
at the combatants in the court-yard. The Mexicans were 55 
particularly expert in the use of the sling, and the stones 
which they hurled from their elevated positions on the heads 
of their enemies did even greater execution than the arrows. 
They glanced, indeed, from the mail-covered bodies of the 
cavaliers, and from those who were sheltered under the cotton 60 
panoply. But some of the soldiers, especially the veterans 
of Cortes, and many of their Indian allies, had but slight 
defences, and suffered greatly under this stony tempest. 



60 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII. 

The Aztecs, meanwliile, had advanced close under the 

65 walls of the intrenchment ; their ranks broken and disordered, 
and their limbs mangled by the unintermitting fire of the 
Christians. But they still pressed on, under the very muzzle 
of the guns. They endeavoured to scale the parapet, which 
from its moderate height, was in itself a work of no great 

70 difficulty. But the moment they showed their heads above 
the rampart, they were shot down by the unerring marksmen 
within. Nothing daunted, others soon appeared to take the 
place of the fallen, and strove, by raising themselves on the 
writhing bodies of their dying comrades, or by fixing their 

75 spears in the crevices of the wall, to surmount the barrier. 
But the attempt proved equally vain. 

Defeated here, they tried to effect a breach in the parapet 
by battering it with heavy pieces of timber. The works 
were not constructed on those scientific principles by which 

80 one part is made to overlook and protect another. The 
besiegers, therefore, might operate at their pleasure, with but 
little molestation from the garrison within, whose guns could 
not be brought into a position to bear on them, and who 
could mount no part of their own works for their defence, 

85 without exposing their persons to the missiles of the whole 
besieging army. The parapet, however, proved too strong for 
the efforts of the assailants. In their despair, they 
endeavoured to set the Christian quarters on fire, shooting 
burning arrows into them, and climbing up so as to dart 

90 their firebrands through the embrasures. The principal 
edifice was of stone. But the temporary defences of the 
Indian allies, and other parts of the exterior works, were of 
wood. Several of these took fire, and the flame spread 
rapidly among the light combustible materials. This was a 

95 disaster for which the besieged were wholly unprepared. 
They had little water, scarcely enough for their own con- 
sumption. They endeavoured to extinguish the flames by 
heaping on earth; but in vain. Fortunately the great 
building was of materials which defied the destroying 
100 element. But the fire raged in some of the outworks, 
connected with the parapet, with a fury which could only be 



Viil] ^XftJLSION fttOM MEXICO. 61 

checked by throwing down a part of the wall itself, thus 
laying open a formidable breach. This, by the general's 
order, was speedily protected by a battery of heavy guns, 
and a file of arquebusiers, who kept up an incessant volley 105 
through the opening on the assailants. 

The fight now raged with fury on both sides. The walls 
around the palace belched forth an uninterniitting sheet of 
flame and smoke. The groans of the wounded and dying 
were lost in the fiercer battle-cries of the combatants, the HO 
roar of the artillery, the sharper rattle of the musketry, and 
the hissing sound of Indian missiles. 

Night at length came, and drew her friendly mantle over 
the contest. The Aztec seldom fought by night. It brought 
little repose, however, to the Spaniards, in hourly expectation 115 
of an assault; and they found abundant occupation in 
restoring the breaches in their defences, and in repairing 
their battered armour. The beleaguering host lay on their 
arms through the night, giving token of their presence, now 
and then, by sending a stone or shaft over the battlements, 120 
or by a solitary cry of defiance from some warrior more 
determined than the rest, till all other sounds were lost in 
the vague, indistinct murmurs which float upon the air in 
the neighbourhood of a vast assembly. 

With early dawn, the Spaniards were up and under arms; 125 
but not before their enemies had given evidence of their 
hostility by the random missiles, which, from time to time, 
were sent into the inclosure. As the grey light of morning 
advanced, it showed the besieging army far from being 
diminished in numbers, filling up the great square and 130 
neighbouring avenues in more dense array than on the 
preceding evening. Instead of a confused, disorderly rabble, 
it had the appearance of something like a regular force, with 
its battalions distributed under their respective banners, the 
devices of which showed a contribution from the principal 135 
cities and districts in the Valley. High above the rest was 
conspicuous the ancient standard of Mexico, with its well- 
known cognisance, an eagle pouncing on an ocelot, emblazoned 
on a rich mantle of feather-work. Here and there priests 



62 CONQtTEST OF MEXICO. [vlll. 

140 might "be seen mingling in the ranks of the besiegers, and, 
with frantic gestures, animating them to avenge their insulted 
deities. 

The greater part of the enemy had little clothing save a 
sash round the loins. They were variously armed, with long 

145 spears tipped with copper, or flint, or sometimes merely 
pointed and hardened in the fire. Some were provided with 
slings, and others with darts having two or three points, with 
long strings attached to them, by which, when discharged, 
they could be torn away again from the body of the wounded. 

150 This was a formidable weapon, much dreaded by the 
Spaniards. Those of a higher order wielded the terrible 
maquahuitl, with its sharp and brittle blades of obsidian. 
Amidst the motley bands of warriors, were seen many whose 
showy dress and air of authority intimated persons of high 

155 military consequence. Their breasts w^ere protected by plates 
of metal, over which was thrown the gay surcoat of feather- 
work. They M^ore casques resembling, in their form, the 
head of some wild and ferocious animal, crested with bristly 
hair, or overshadowed by tall and graceful plumes of many a 

160 brilliant colour. Some few were decorated with the red 
fillet bound round the hair, having tufts of cotton attached to 
it, which denoted by their number that of the victories they 
had won, and their own pre-eminent .rank among the warriors 
of the nation. 

165 Before the sun had shot his beams into the Castilian 
quarters the enemy were in motion, evidently preparing to 
renew the assault of the preceding day. The Spanish com- 
mander determined to anticipate them by a vigorous sortie, 
for which he had already made the necessary dispositions. 

170 A general discharge of ordnance and musketry sent death 
far and wide into the enemy's ranks, and, before they had 
time to recover from their confusion, the gates were thrown 
open, and Cortes, sallying out at the head of his cavalry, 
supported by a large body of infantry and several thousand 

175 Tlascalans, rode at full gallop against them. Taken thus by 
surprise, it was scarcely possible to off'er much resistance. 
Those who did were trampled down under the horses' feet, 



Vra]. SALLY OP THE SPANIARDS. 63 

cut to pieces with the broadsw^ords, or pierced with the 
lances of the riders. The infantry followed up the blow, 
and the rout for the moment was general. 180 

But the Aztecs fled only to take refuge behind a barricade, 
or strong work of timber and earth, which had been thrown 
across the great street through which they were pursued. 
Rallying on the other side, they made a gallant stand, and 
poured in turn a volley of their light weapons on the 185 
Spaniards, who, saluted with a storm of missiles at the same 
time, from the terraces of the houses, were checked in their 
career, and thrown into some disorder. 

Cortes, thus impeded, ordered up a few pieces of heavy 
ordnance, which soon swept away the barricades, and cleared 190 
a passage for the army. But it had lost the momentum 
acquired in its rapid advance. The enemy had time to rally 
and to meet the Spaniards on more equal terms. They were 
attacked in flank, too, as they advanced, by fresh battalions, 
who swarmed in from the adjoining streets and lanes. The 195 
canals were alive with boats fllled with warriors, who, with 
their formidable darts, searched every crevice or weak place 
in the armour of proof, and made havoc on the unprotected 
bodies of the Tlascalans. By repeated and vigorous charges, 
the Spaniards succeeded in driving the Indians before them ; 200 
though many, with a desperation which showed they 
loved vengeance better than life, sought to embarrass the 
movements of their horses by clinging to their legs, or more 
successfully strove to pull the riders from their saddles. And 
woe to the unfortunate cavalier who was thus dismounted — 205 
to be despatched by the brutual maquahuitl, or to be dragged 
on board a canoe to the bloody altar of sacrifice ! 

But the greatest annoyance which the Spaniards endured 
was from the missiles from the azoteas, consisting often of 
large stones, hurled with a force that would tumble the 210 
stoutest rider from his saddle. Galled in the extreme by 
these discharges, against which even their shields afforded 
no adequate protection, Cortes ordered fire to be set to the 
buildings. This was no very difficult matter, since, although 
chiefly of stone, they were filled with mats, cane-work, and 215 



64 CONQUES'T OF MEXICO. [VIII. 

other combustible materials, which were soon in a blaze. 
But the buildings stood separated from one another by canals 
and draw-bridges, so that the flames did not easily com- 
municate to the neighbouring edifices. Hence, the labour of 

220 the Spaniards was incalculably increased, and their progress 
in the work of destruction — fortunately for the city — was 
comparatively slow. They did not relax their efforts, how- 
ever, till several hundred houses had been consumed, and 
the miseries of a conflagration, in which the wretched inmates 

225 perished equally with the defenders, were added to the other 
horrors of the scene. 

The day was now far spent. The Spaniards had been 
everywhere victorious. But the enemy, though driven back 
on every point, still kept the field. When broken by the 

230 furious charges of the cavalry, he soon rallied behind the 
temporary defences, which, at different intervals, had been 
thrown across the streets, and, facing about, renewed the 
fight with undiminished courage, till the sweeping away of 
the barriers by the cannon of the assailants left a free 

235 passage for the movements of their horse. Thus the action 
was a succession of rallying and retreating, in which both 
parties suffered much, although the loss inflicted on the 
Indians was probably tenfold greater that that of the 
Spaniards. But the Aztecs could better afford the loss of 

240 a hundred lives than their antagonists that of one. And, 
while the Spaniards showed an array broken, and obviously 
thinned in numbers, the Mexican army, swelled by the 
tributary levies which flowed in upon it from the neighbour- 
ing streets, exhibited, with all its losses, no sign of diminu- 

245 tion. At length, sated with carnage, and exhausted by toil 
and hunger, the Spanish commander drew off' his men, and 
sounded a retreat. 

The undaunted Aztecs hung on the rear of their retreating 
foes, annoying them at every step by fresh flights of stones 

259 and arrows ; and when the Spaniards had re-entered their 
fortress, the Indian host encamped around it, showing the 
same dogged resolution as on the preceding evening. Though 
true to their ancient habits of inaction during the night, they 



VIII.] FURY OF THE MEXICANS. 65 

broke the stillness of the hour by insulting cries and menaces, 
which reached the ears of the besieged. " The gods have 255 
delivered you, at last, into our hands," they said ; "Huitzilo- 
potchli has long cried for his victims. The stone of sacrifice 
is ready. The knives are sharpened. The wild beasts in the 
palace are roaring for their olFal. And the cages," they 
added, taunting the Tlascalans with their leanness, " are 260 
waiting for the false sons of Anahuac, who are to be fattened 
for the festival." These dismal menaces, which sounded 
fearfully in the ears of the besieged, who understood too 
well their import, were mingled with piteous lamentations for 
their sovereign, whom they called on the Spaniards to deliver 265 
up to them. 

Cortes suffered much from a severe wound which he had 
received in the hand in the late action. But the anguish of 
his mind must have been still greater, as he brooded over 
the dark prospect before him. 270 

He now sent to the Aztec emperor to request his inter- 
position with his subjects in behalf of the Spaniards. But 
Montezuma was not in the humour to comply. He had 
remained moodily in his quarters ever since the general's 
return. Distressed by his position, indignant at those who 275 
had placed him in it, he coldly answered, " What have I to 
do with Malintzin'? I do not wish to hear from him. I 
desire only to die. To what a state has my willingness to 
serve him reduced me ! " When urged still further to 
comply b.y Olid and Father Olmedo, he added, " It is of no 280 
use. They will neither believe me, nor the false words and 
promises of Malintzin. You will never leave these walls 
alive." On being assured, however, that the Spaniards 
would wdllingly depart, if a way were opened to them by 
their enemies, he at length — moved, probably, more by the 285 
desire to spare the blood of his subjects than of the Christans 
— consented to expostulate with his people. 

In order to give the greater effect to his presence, he put 
on his imperial robes. The tilmatli, his mantle of white 
and blue, flowed over his shoulders, held together by its 290 
rich clasp of the green chalcMvitl, The same precious 

F 



66 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII. 

gem, with emeralds of uncommon size, set in gold, profusely 
ornamented other parts of his dress. His feet were shod 
with the golden sandals, and his brows covered by the 

295 copilli, or Mexican diadem, resembling in form the ponti- 
fical tiara. Thus attired, and surrounded by a guard of 
Spaniards and several Aztec nobles, and preceded by the 
golden wand, the symbol of sovereignty, the Indian monarch 
ascended the central turret of the palace. His presence 

300 was instantly recognised by the people, and, as the royal 
retinue advanced along the battlements, a change, as if by 
magic, came over the scene. The clang of instruments, 
the fierce cries of the assailants, were hushed, and a death- 
like stillness pervaded the whole assembly, so fiercely agi- 

305 tated but a few moments before by the wild tumult of war ! 
Many prostrated themselves on the ground ; others bent 
the knee; and all turned with eager expectation towards 
the monarch, whom they had been taught to reverence with 
slavish awe, and from whose countenance they had been 

310 wont to turn away as from the intolerable splendours of 
divinity ! Montezuma saw his advantage ; and, while he 
stood thus confronted with his awe-struck people, he seemed 
to recover all his former authority and confidence as he felt 
himself to be still a king. With a calm voice, easily heard 

315 over the silent assembly, he is said by the Castilian writers 
to have thus addressed them : — 

" Why do I see my people here in arms against the 
palace of my fathers ? Is it that you think your sovereign 
a prisoner, and wish to release him ? If so, you have acted 

320 rightly. But you are mistaken. I am no prisoner. The 
strangers are my guests. I remain with them only from 
choice, and can leave them when I list. Have you come to 
drive them from the city*? That is unnecessary. They 
will depart of their own accord, if you will open a way for 

325 them. Return to your homes, then. Lay down your arms. 
Show your obedience to me who have a right to it. The 
white men shall go back to their own land ; and all shall 
be well again within the walls of Tenochtitlan." 

As Montezuma announced himself the friend of the 



VIII.] HE IS DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED. 67 

detested strangers, a murmur ran through the multitude ; 330 
a murmur of contempt for the pusillanimous prince who 
could show himself so insensible to the insults and injuries 
for which the nation was in arms! The swollen tide of 
their passions swept away all the barriers of ancient 
reverence, and, taking a new direction, descended on the 335 
head of the unfortunate monarch, so far degenerated from 
his warlike ancestors. "Base Aztec," they exclaimed, 
" woman, coward, the white men have made you a woman — 
fit only to weave and spin ! " These bitter taunts were soon 
followed by still more hostile demonstrations. A chief, it 340 
is said, of high rank, bent a bow or brandished a javelin 
with an air of defiance against the emperor, when, in an 
instant, a cloud of stones and arrows descended on the spot 
where the royal train was gathered. The Spaniards ap- 
pointed to protect his person had been thrown ofi" their 345 
guard by the respectful deportment of the people during 
their lord's address. They now hastily interposed their 
bucklers. But it was too late. Montezuma was wounded 
by three of the missiles, one of which, a stone, fell with 
such violence on his head, near the temple, as brought him 350 
senseless to the ground. The Mexicans, shocked at their 
own sacrilegious act, experienced a sudden revulsion of 
feeling, and setting up a dismal cry, dispersed panic-struck 
in different directions. Xot one of the multitudinous array 
remained in the great square Viefore the palace ! 355 

The unhappy prince, meanwhile, was borne by his attend- 
ants to his apartments below. On recovering from the 
insensibility caused by the blow, the wretchedness of his 
condition broke upon him. He had tasted the last bitter- 
ness of degTadation. He had been reviled, rejected, by his 360 
people. The meanest of the rabble had raised their hands 
against him. He had nothing more to live for. It was in 
vain that Cortes and his officers endeavoured to soothe the 
anguish of his spirit and fill him with better thoughts. He 
spoke not a word in answer. His wound, though dangerous, 365 
might still, with skilful treatment, not prove mortal. But 
Montezuma refused O-U the remedies prescribed for it He 



68 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [VIII. 

tore off the bandages as often as they were applied, main- 
taining all the while the most determined silence. He sat 

370 with eyes dejected, brooding over his fallen fortunes, over 
the image of ancient majesty and present humiliation. He 
had survived his honour. But a spark of his ancient spirit 
seemed to kindle in his bosom, as it was clear he did not 
mean to survive his disgrace. From this painful scene the 

375 Spanish general and his followers were soon called away by 
the new dangers which menaced the garrison. 



CHAPTER IX. 



STORMING OF THE GREAT TEMPLE — SPIRIT OF THE AZTECS — DISTRESSES 
OF THE GARRISON— SHARP COMBATS IN THE CITY — DEATH OF 
MONTEZUMA. 

1520. 

OPPOSITE to the Spanish quarters, at only a few rods' 
distance, stood the great teocalli of HuitzilopotchH. 
This pyramidal mound, with the sanctuaries that crowned 
it, rising altogether to the height of near a hundred and 
fifty feet, afforded an elevated position that completely com- 5 
manded the palace of Axayacatl, occupied by the Christians, 
A body of five or six hundred Mexicans, many of them 
nobles and warriors of the highest rank, had got possession 
of the teocalli, whence they discharged such a tempest of 
arrows on the garrison, that no one could leave his defences 10 
for a moment without imminent danger; while the Mexicans, 
under shelter of the sanctuaries, were entirely covered from 
the fire of the besieged. 

Cortes, who saw the immediate necessity of carrying the 
place, determined to lead the storming party himself. He 15 
was then suffering much from the wound in his left hand, 
which had disabled it for the present. He made the arm 
serviceable, however, by fastening his buckler to it, and, 
thus crippled, sallied out at the head of three hundred 
chosen cavaliers, and several thousand of his auxiliaries. 20 

In the court-yard of the temple he found a numerous 
body of Indians prepared to dispute his passage. He briskly 
charged them ; but the flat, smooth stones of the pavement 
were so slippery that the horses lost their footing, and many 
of them fell. Hastily dismounting, they sent back the 25 
animals to their (Quarters, and, renewing the assault, the 



70 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. 

Spaniards succeeded without mucli difficulty in dispersing 
the Indian warriors, and opening a free passage for themselves 
to the teocalU. This building was a huge pyramidal structure, 

30 about three hundred feet square at the base. A flight of 
stone steps on the outside, at one of the angles of the mound, 
led to a platform, or terraced walk, which passed round the 
building until it reached a similar flight of stairs directly 
over the preceding, that conducted to another landing as 

35 before. As there were five bodies or divisions of the teocalli, 
it became necessary to pass round its whole extent four times, 
or nearly a mile, in order to reach the summit, which was 
an open area, crowned only by the two sanctuaries dedicated 
to the Aztec deities. 

40 Cortes, having cleared a way for the assault, sprang up 
the lower stairway, followed by Alvarado, Sandoval, Ordaz, 
and the other gallant cavaliers of his little band, leaving a 
file of arquebusiers, and a strong corps of Indian allies, to 
hold the enemy in check at the foot of the monument. On 

45 the first landing, as well as on the several galleries above, 
and on the summit, the Aztec warriors were drawn up to 
dispute his passage. From their elevated position they 
showered down volleys of lighter missiles, together with 
heavy stones, beams, and burning rafters, which, thundering 

50 along the stairway, overturned the ascending Spaniards, and 
carried desolation through their ranks. The more fortunate, 
eluding or springing over .these obstacles, succeeded in 
gaining the first terrace, where, throwing themselves on 
their enemies, they compelled them, after a short resistance, 

55 to fall back. The assailants pressed on, effectually supported 
by a brisk fire of the musketeers from below, which so 
much galled the Mexicans in their exposed situation, that 
they were glad to take shelter on the broad summit of the 
teocalU. 

60 Cortes and his comrades were close upon their rear, and 
the two parties soon found themselves face to face on this 
aerial battle-field, engaged in mortal combat in presence of 
the whole cit}'-, as well as of the troops in the court-yard, 
who paused, as if by mutual cQiisent, frojn their ow^ 



IX.] SPIRIT OF THE AZTECS. 71 

hostilities, gazing in silent expectation on the issue of those 65 
above. The area, though somewhat smaller than the base 
of the teocalli, was large enough to aiford a fair field of 
fight for a thousand combatants. It was paved with broad, 
flat stones. No impediment occurred over its surface, except 
the huge sacrificial block, and the temples of stone which 70 
rose to the height of forty feet, at the further extremity of 
the arena. One of these had been consecrated to the cross ; 
the other was still occupied by the Mexican war-god. The 
Christian and the Aztec contended for their religions under 
the very shadow of their respective shrines ; while the 75 
Indian priests, running to and fro, with their hair wildly 
streaming over their sable mantles, seemed hovering in mid 
air, like so many demons of darkness urging on the work of 
slaughter. 

The parties closed with the desperate fury of men who 80 
had no hope but in victory. Quarter was neither asked nor 
given; and to fly was impossible. The edge of the area 
was unprotected by parapet or battlement. The least slip 
would be fatal; and the combatants, as they struggled in 
mortal agony, were sometimes seen to roll over the sheer 85 
sides of the precipice together. Cortes himself is said to 
have had a narrow escape from this dreadful fate. Two 
warriors, of strong, muscular frames, seized on him and 
were dragging him violently towards the brink of the 
pyramid. Aware of their intention, he struggled with all 90 
his force, and, before they could accomplish their purpose, 
succeeded in tearing himself from their grasp, and hurling 
one of them over the walls with his own arm. The story 
is not improbable in itself, for Cortes was a man of uncommon 
agility and strength. 95 

The battle lasted with unintermitting fury for three hours. 
The number of the enemy was double that of the Christians; 
and it seemed as if it were a contest which must be deter- 
mined by numbers and brute force, rather than by superior 
science. But it was not so. The invulnerable armour of the lOQ 
Spaniard, his sword of matchless temper, and his skill in the 
use of it, gave him advantages which far outweighed the 



72 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. 

odds of physical strength and numbers. After doing all 
that the courage of despair could enable men to do, resistance 

105 grew fainter and fainter on the side of the Aztecs. One 
after another they had fallen. Two or three priests only 
survived to be led away in triumph by the victors. Every 
other combatant was stretched a corpse on the bloody arena, 
or had been hurled from the giddy heights. Yet the loss of 

110 the Spaniards was not inconsiderable. It amounted to forty- 
five of their best men, and nearly all the remainder were 
more or less injured in the desperate conflict. 

The victorious cavaliers now rushed towards the sanctuaries. 
The lower story was of stone ; the two upper were of wood. 

115 Penetrating into their recesses, they had the mortification to 
find the image of the Virgin and the Cross removed. But in 
the other edifice they still beheld the grim figure of Huitzil- 
opotchH, with his censer of smoking hearts, and the walls of 
his oratory reeking with gore, not improbably of their own 

120 countrymen ! With shouts of triumph the Christians tore 
the uncouth monster from his niche, and tumbled him, in the 
presence of the horror-struck Aztecs, down the steps of the 
teocalli. They then set fire to the accursed building. 

That very night they followed up the blow by a sortie on 

125 the sleeping town, and burned three hundred houses, the 
horrors of conflagration being made still more impressive by 
occurring at the hour when the Aztecs, from their own 
system of warfare, were least prepared for them. 

Hoping to find the temper of the natives somewhat 

130 subdued by these reverses, Cortes now determined, with his 
usual policy, to make them a vantage-ground for proposing 
terms of accommodation. He accordingly invited the enemy 
to a parley, and, as the principal chiefs, attended by their 
followers, assembled in the great square, he mounted the 

135 turret before occupied by Montezuma, and made signs that 
he would address them. Marina, as usual, took her place by 
his side, as his interpreter. The multitude gazed with earnest 
curiosity on the Indian girl, whose influence with the 
Spaniards was well known, and whose connexion with the 

140 general, in particular, had led the Aztecs to designate him by 



IX.] SPIRIT OF THE AZTECS. 73 

her Mexican name of Malinclie. Cortes, speaking through 
the soft, musical tones of his mistress, told his audience they 
must now be convinced that they had nothing further to 
hope from opposition to the Spaniards. They had seen their 
gods trampled in the dust, their altars broken, their dwellings 145 
burned, their warriors falling on all sides. "All this," 
continued he, "you have brought on yourselves by your 
rebellion. Yet for the affection the sovereign, whom you 
have so unworthily treated, still bears you, I would willingly 
stay my hand, if you will lay down your arms, and return 150 
once more to your obedience. But, if you do not," he 
concluded, " I will make your city a heap of ruins, and leave 
not a soul alive to mourn over it ! " 

But the Spanish commander did not yet comprehend the 
character of the Aztecs, if he thought to intimidate them by 155 
menaces. 

It was true, they answered, he had destroyed their temples, 
broken in pieces their gods, massacred their countrymen. 
Many more, doubtless, were yet to fall under their terrible 
swords. But they were content so long as for every thousand 160 
Mexicans they could shed the blood of a single white man ! 
*' Look out," they continued, " on our terraces and streets, see 
them still thronged with warriors as far as your eyes can 
reach. Our numbers are scarcely diminished by our losses. 
Yours, on the contrary, are lessening every hour. You are 165 
perishing from hunger and sickness. Your provisions and 
water are failing. You must soon fall into our hands. The 
h^idges are broken down, and you cannot escape ! There will 
be too few of you left to glut the vengeance of our gods ! " 
As they concluded, they sent a volley of arrows over the 170 
battlements, which compelled the Spaniards to descend and 
take refuge in their defences. 

The fierce and indomitable spirit of the Aztecs filled 
Cortes with dismay. 

With his men daily diminishing in strength and numbers, 175 
their provisions reduced so low that a small daily ration of 
bread was all the sustenance afforded to the soldier under 
his extraordinary fatigues, with the breaches every day 



74 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. 

widening in liis feeble fortifications, with Ms ammnnition, 

180 in fine, nearly expended, it would be impossible to maintain 
the place much longer — and none but men of iron con- 
stitutions and tempers, like the Spaniards, could have held 
it out so long — against the enemy. The chief embarrass- 
ment was as to the time and manner in which it would 

185 be expedient to evacuate the city. The best route seemed 
to be that of Tlacopan (Tacuba). For the causeway, the 
most dangerous part of the road, was but two miles long in 
that direction, and would therefore place the fugitives much 
sooner than either of the other great avenues on terra jirma. 

190 Before his final departure, however, he proposed to make 
another sally in that direction, in order to reconnoitre the 
ground, and at the same time divert the enemy's attention 
from his real purpose by a show of active operations. 

For some days his workmen had been employed in con- 

195 structing a military machine of his own invention. It 
was called a manta, and was contrived somewhat on the 
principle of the mantelets used in the wars of the Middle 
Ages. It was, however, more complicated, consisting of a 
tower made of light beams and planks, having two chamber , 

200 one over the other. These were to be filled with musketeers, 
and the sides were provided with loop-holes^ through which 
a fire could be kept up on the enemy. The great advantage 
proposed by this contrivance was, to afi'ord a defence to the 
troops against the missiles hurled from the terraces. These 

205 machines, three of which were made, rested on rollers, and 
were provided with strong ropes, by which they were to be 
dragged along the streets by the Tlascalan auxiliaries. 

The Mexicans gazed with astonishment on this warlike 
machinery, and as the rolling fortresses advanced, belching 

210 forth fire and smoke from their entrails, the enemy, in- 
capable of making an impression on those within, fell back 
in dismay. By bringing the manias under the walls of the 
houses, the Spaniards were enabled to fire with effect on 
the mischievous tenants of the azoteas; and when this did 

215 not silence them, by letting a ladder, or light drawbridge, 
fall on the roof from the top of the mania, they opened a 



IX.] SHAEP COMBATS IN THE CITY. 75 

passage to tlie terrace, and closed witli tke com'batants 
hand to hand. They could not, however, thus approach 
the higher buildings, from which the Indian warriors threw 
down such heavy masses of stone and timber as dislodged 220 
the planks that covered the machines, or, thundering against 
their sides, shook the frail edifices to their foundations, 
threatening all within with indiscriminate ruin. Indeed 
the success of the experiment was doubtful, when the inter- 
vention of a canal put a stop to their further progress. 225 

The Spaniards now found the assertion of their enemies 
too well confirmed. The bridge which traversed the opening 
had been demolished; and although the canals which 
intersected the city were in general of no great width or 
depth, the removal of the bridges not only impeded the 230 
movements of the general's clumsy machines, but efi'ectually 
disconcerted those of his cavalry. Resolving to abandon 
the manias, he gave orders to fill up the chasm with stone, 
timber, and other rubbish drawn from the ruined buildings, 
and to make a new passage-way for the army. While this 235 
labour was going on, the Aztec slingers and archers on the 
other side of the opening kept up a gaUing discharge on the 
Christians, the more defenceless from the nature of their 
occupation. When the work was completed, and a safe 
passage secured, the Spanish cavaliers rode briskly against 240 
the enemy, who, unable to resist the shock of the steel-clad 
column, fell back with precipitation to where another canal 
afforded a similar strong position for defence. 

There were no less than seven of these canals, intersecting 
the great street of Tlacopan, and at every one the same 245 
scene was renewed, the Mexicans making a gallant stand, 
and inflicting some loss, at each, on their persevering 
antagonists. These operations consumed two days, when, 
after incredible toil, the Spanish general had the satisfaction 
to find the line of communication completely re-established 250 
through the whole length of the avenue, and the principal 
bridges placed under strong detachments of infantry. At 
this juncture, when he had driven the foe before him to the 
furthest extremity of the street, where it touches on the 



76 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. 

255 causeway, he was informed that the Mexicans, disheartened 
by their reverses, desired to open a parley with him respect- 
ing the terms of an accommodation, and that their chiefs 
awaited his return for that purpose at the fortress. Over- 
joyed at the intelligence, he instantly rode back, attended 

260 by Alvarado, Sandoval, and about sixty of the cavaliers, 
to his quarters. 

The Mexicans proposed that he should release the two 
priests captured in the temple, who might be the bearers 
of his terms, and serve as agents for conducting the 

265 negotiation. They were accordingly sent with the requisite 
instructions to their countrymen. But they did not return. 
The whole M'as an artifice of the enemy, anxious to procure 
the liberation of their religious leaders, one of whom was 
their teoteudU, or high priest, whose presence was indis- 

270 pensable in the probable event of a new coronation. 

Cortes, meanwhile, relying on the prospects of a speedy 
arrangement, was hastily taking some refreshment with his 
officers, after the fatigues of the day, when he received the 
alarming tidings, that the enemy were in arms again, with 

275 more fury than ever ; that they had overpowered the 
detachments posted under Alvarado at three of the bridges, 
and were busily occupied in demolishing them. Stung with 
shame at the facility with which he had been duped by his 
wily foe, or rather by his own sanguine hopes, Cortes threw 

280 himself into the saddle, and, followed by his brave com- 
panions, galloped back at full speed to the scene of action. 
The Mexicans recoiled before the impetuous charge of the 
Spaniards. The bridges were again restored; and Cortes 
and his chivalry rode down the whole extent of the great 

285 street, driving the enemy, like frightened deer, at the points 
of their lances. But before he could return on his steps, 
he had the mortification to find, that the indefatigable foe, 
gathering from the adjoining lanes and streets, had again 
closed on his infantry, who, worn down by fatigue, were 

290 unable to maintain their position, at one of the principal 
bridges, ^ew swarms of warriors now poured in on all 
sides, overwhelming the little band of Christian cavaliers 



IX.] DEATH OF MONTEZUMA. 77 

with a storm of stones, darts, and arrows, which rattled like 
hail on their armour and on that of their horses. Most of 
the missiles, indeed, glanced harmless from the good panoplies 295 
of steel, or thick quilted cotton; but, now and then, one 
better aimed penetrated the joints of the harness, and 
stretched the rider on the ground. 

The confusion became greater around the broken bridge. 
Some of the horsemen were thrown into the canal, and 300 
their steeds floundered wildly about without a rider. Cortes 
himself, at this crisis, did more than any other to cover the 
retreat of his followers. While the bridge was repairing, 
he plunged boldly into the midst of the barbarians, striking 
down an enemy at every vault of his charger, cheering on 305 
his own men, and spreading terror through the ranks of his 
opponents by the well-known sound of his battle-cry. Never 
did he display greater hardihood, or more freely expose his 
person, emulating, says an old chronicler, the feats of the 
Roman Codes. In this way he stayed the tide of assailants, 310 
till the last man had crossed the bridge, when, some of the 
planks having given way, he was compelled to leap a chasm 
of full six feet in width, amidst a cloud of missiles, before 
he could place himself in safety. A report ran through the 
army that the general was slain. It soon spread through 315 
the city, to the great joy of the Mexicans, and reached the 
fortress, where the besieged were thrown into no less con- 
sternation. But, happily for them it was false. He, indeed, 
received two severe contusions on the knee, but in other 
respects remained uninjured. At no time, however, had 320 
he been in such extreme danger ; and his escape, and 
that of his companions, were esteemed little less than a 
miracle. 

The coming of night dispersed the Indian battalions, 
which, vanishing like birds of ill-omen from the field, left 325 
the well-contested pass in possession of the Spaniards. 
They returned, however, with none of the joyous feelings 
of conquerors to their citadel, but with slow step and dis- 
pirited, with weapons hacked, armour battered, and fainting 
under the loss of blood, fasting, and fatigue. In this 330 



78 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX. 

condition they had yet to learn the tidings of a fresh 
misfortune in the death of Montezuma. 

The Indian monarch had rapidly declined, since he had 
received his injury, sinking, however, quite as much under 

335 the anguish of a wounded spirit, as under disease. He 
continued in the same moody state of insensibility as that 
already described ; holding little communication with those 
around him, deaf to consolation, obstinately rejecting all 
medical remedies, as well as nourishment. Perceiving his 

340 end approach, some of the cavaliers present in the fortress, 
whom the kindness of his manners had personally attached 
to him, were anxious to save the soul of the dying prince 
from the sad doom of those who perish in the darkness of 
unbelief. They accordingly waited on him, with Father 

345 Olmedo at their head, and in the most earnest manner 
implored him to open his eyes to the error of his creed, and 
consent to be baptized. But Montezuma — whatever may 
have been suggested to the contrary — seems never to have 
faltered in his hereditary faith. 

350 When Father Olmedo, therefore, kneeling at his side, 
with the uplifted crucifix, affectionately besought him to 
embrace the sign of man's redemption, he coldly repulsed the 
priest, exclaiming, " I have but a few moments to live, and 
will not at this hour desert the faith of my fathers." 

355 One thing, however, seemed to press heavily on Monte- 
zuma's mind. This was the fate of his children, especially 
of three daughters, whom he had by his two wives ; for 
there were certain rites of marriage, which distinguished the 
lawful wife from the concubine. Calling Cortes to his bed- 

360 side, he earnestly commended these children to his care, as 
''the most precious jewels that he could leave him." He 
besought the general to interest ^his master, the emperor, in 
their behalf, and to see that they should not be left destitute, 
but be allowed some portion of their rightful inheritance. 

365 " Your lord will do this," he concluded, " if it were only for 
the friendly offices I have rendered the Spaniards, and for 
the love I have shown them — though it has brought me to 
this condition! But for this I bear them no ill-will." Such, 



IX.] DEATH OF MONTEZUMA. 79 

according to Cortes himself, were the words of the dying 
monarch. Not long after, on the 30th of June, 1520, he 370 
expired in the arms of some of his own nobles, who still re- 
mained faithful in their attendance on his person. 

The Spanish commander showed all respect for his 
memory. His body, arrayed in its royal robes, was laid 
decently on a bier, and borne on the shoulders of his nobles 375 
to his subjects in the city. What honours, if any, indeed, 
were paid to his remains is uncertain. A sound of wailing, 
distinctly heard in the western quarters of the capital, was 
interpreted by the Spaniards into the moans of a funeral 
procession, as it bore the body to be laid among those of his 380 
ancestors, under the princely shades of Chapoltepec. 



CHAPTER X. 

COUNCIL OF WAR— SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE CITY — NOCHE TRISTE, 
OR "the melancholy night" — TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER— HALT 
FOR THE NIGHT— AMOUNT OF LOSSES. 

1520. 

THERE was no longer any question as to the expediency 
of evacuating the capital. The only doubt was as to the 
time of doing so, and the route. The Spanish commander 
called a council of officers to deliberate on these matters. It 
5 was his purpose to retreat on Tlascala, and in that capital to 
decide according to circumstances on his future operations. 
After some discussion, they agreed on the causeway of 
Tlacopan as the avenue by which to leave the city. It 
would, indeed, take them back by a circuitous route, con- 

10 siderably longer than either of those by which they had 
approached the capital. But, for that reason, it would be 
less likely to be guarded, as least suspected ; and the cause- 
way itself being shorter than either of the other entrances, 
would sooner place the army in comparative security on the 

15 main land. 

There was some difference of opinion in respect to the 
hour of departure. The day-time, it was argued by some, 
would be preferable, since it would enable them to see the 
nature and extent of their danger, and to provide against it. 

20 Darkness would be much more likely to embarrass their own 
movements than those of the enemy, who were familiar with 
the ground. A thousand impediments would occur in the 
night, which might prevent their acting in concert, or 
obeying, or even ascertaining, the orders of the commander. 

25 But on the other hand it was urged, that the night 



X.] THE SPANTAHDS EVACTJATE THE CIT\. 91 

presented many obvious advantages in dealing with a foe 
Avho rarely carried his hostilities beyond the day. The lato 
active operations of the Spaniards had thrown the Mexicans 
off their guard, and it was improbable they would anticipate 
so speedy a departure of their enemies. With celerity and 30 
caution they might succeed, therefore, in making their 
escape from the town, possibly over the causeway, before 
their retreat should be discovered ; and, could they once get 
beyond that pass of peril, they felt little apprehension for 
the rest. 35 

The general's first care was to provide for the safe trans- 
portation of the treasure. Many of the common soldiers had 
converted their share of the prize, as we have seen, into gold 
chains, collars, or other ornaments, which they easily carried 
about their persons. But the royal fifth, together with that 40 
of Cortes himself, and much of the rich booty of the 
principal cavaliers, had been converted into bars and 
wedges of solid gold, and deposited in one of the strong 
apartments of the palace. Cortes delivered the share belong- 
ing to the Crown to the royal ojBEicers, assigning them one of 45 
the strongest horses, and a guard of Castilian soldiers to 
transport it. Still, much of the treasure belonging both to 
the Crown and to individuals was necessarily abandoned, 
from the want of adequate means of conveyance. The metal 
lay scattered in shining heaps along the floor, exciting the 50 
cupidity of the soldiers. " Take what you will of it," said 
Cortes to his men. " Better you should have it than these 
Mexican hounds. But be careful not to overload your- 
selves. He travels safest in the dark night who travels 
lightest." His own more wary followers took heed to his 55 
counsel, helping themselves to a few articles of least bulk, 
though, it might be, of greatest value. But the troops of 
Narvaez, pining for riches, of which they had heard so 
much, and hitherto seen so little, showed no such discretion. 
To them it seemed as if the very mines of Mexico were 60 
turned up before them, and, rushing on the treacherous 
spoil, they greedily loaded themselves with as much of it, 
not merely as they could accommodate about their persons, 

Q 



82 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [x. 

but as they could stow away in wallets, boxes, or any otber 

65 mode of conveyance at their disposal. 

Cortes next arranged' the order of march. The van, 
composed of two hundred Spanish foot, he placed under the 
command of the valiant Gonzalo de Sandoval, supported by 
Diego de Ordaz, Francisco de Lnjo, and about twenty other 

70 cavaliers. The rearguard, constituting the strength of the 
infantry, was instrusted to Pedro de Alvarado, and Velasquez 
de Leon. The general himself took charge of the " battle," 
or centre, in which went the baggage, some of the heavy 
guns, most of which, however, remained in the rear, the 

75 treasure, and the prisoners. These consisted of a son and 
two daughters of Montezuma, Cacama, the deposed lord of 
Tezcuco, and several other nobles, whom Cortes retained 
as important pledges in his future negotiations with the 
enemy. The Tlascalans were distributed pretty equally 

80 among the three divisions ; and Cortes had under his imme- 
diate command a hundred picked soldiers, his own veterans 
most attached to his service, who, with Christoval de Olid, 
Francisco de Morla, Alonso de Avila, and two or three 
other cavaliers, formed a select corps, to act wherever 

85 occasion might require. 

The general had already superintended the construction 
of a portable bridge to be laid over the open canals in the 
causeway. This was given in charge to an officer named 
Magarino, with forty soldiers under his orders, all pledged 

90 to defend the passage to the last extremity. The bridge 
was to be taken up when the entire army had crossed one 
of the breaches, and transported to the next. There were 
three of these openings in the causeway, and most fortunate 
would it have been for the expedition, if the foresight of the 

95 commander had provided the same number of bridges. But 
the labour would have been great, and time was short. 

At midnight the troops were under arms, in readiness 

for the march. Mass was performed by Father Olmedo, who 

invoked the protection of the Almighty through the awful 

100 perils of the night. The gates were thrown open, and, on 

the first of July, 1520, the Spaniards for the last time 



X.] THE SPANIARDS EVACUATE THE CITY. 83 

sallied forth from the walls of the ancient fortress, the scene 
of so much suffering and such indomitahle courage. 

The night was cloudy, and a drizzling rain, which fell 
without intermission, added to the obscurity. The great 105 
square before the palace was deserted, as, indeed, it had 
been since the fall of Montezuma. Steadily, and as noise- 
lessly as possible, the Spaniards held their way along the 
great street of Tlacopan, which so lately had resounded to 
the tumult of battle. All was now hushed in silence ; and 110 
they were only reminded of the past by the occasional 
presence of some solitary corpse, or a dark heap of the 
slain, which too plainly told where the strife had been 
hottest. As they passed along the lanes and alleys which 
opened into the great street, or looked down the canals, 115 
whose polished surface gleamed with a sort of ebon lustre 
through the obscurity of night, they easily fancied that 
they discerned the shadowy forms of their foe lurking in 
ambush, and ready to spring on them. But it 'was only 
fancy ; and the city slept undisturbed even by the prolonged 120 
echoes of the tramp of the horses, and the hoarse rumbling 
of the artillery and baggage trains. At length a lighter 
space beyond the dusky line of buildings showed the van 
of the army that it was emerging on the open causeway. 
They might well have congratulated themselves on having 125 
thus escaped the dangers of an assault in the city itself, 
and that a brief time would place them in comparative 
safety on the opposite shore. But the Mexicans were not 
all asleep. 

As the Spaniards drew near the spot where the street 130 
opened on the causeway, and were preparing to lay the 
portable bridge across the uncovered breach which now met 
their eyes, several Indian sentinels, who had been stationed 
at this, as at the other approaches to the city, took the 
alarm, and fled, rousing their countrymen by their cries. 135 
The priests, keeping their night watch on the summit of the 
teocallis, instantly caught the tidings and sounded their 
shells, while the huge drum in the desolate temple of the 
war-god sent forth those solemn tones, which, heard only in 



84 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. X.] 

140 seasons of calamity, vibrated through every corner of the 
capital. The Spaniards saw that no time was to be lost. 
The bridge was brought forward and fitted with all possible 
expedition. Sandoval was the first to try its strength, and, 
riding across, was followed by his little body of chivalry, his 

145 infantry, and Tlascalan allies, who formed the first division 
of the army. Then came Cortes and his squadrons, with 
the baggage, ammunition waggons, and a part of the 
artillery. But before they had time to defile across the 
narrow passage, a gathering sound was heard, like that of 

150 a mighty forest agitated by the winds. It grew louder and 
louder, while on the dark waters of the lake was heard a 
splashing noise, as of many oars. Then came a few stones 
and arrows striking at random among the hurrying troops. 
They fell every moment faster and more furious, till they 

155 thickened into a terrible tempest, while the very heavens 
were rent with the yells and war-cries of myriads of 
combatants, who seemed all at once to be swarming over 
land and lake ! 

The Spaniards pushed steadily on through this arrowy 

160 sleet, though the barbarians, dashing their canoes against 
the sides of the causeway, clambered up and broke in upon 
their ranks. But the Christians, anxious only to make 
their escape, declined all combat except for self-preservation. 
The cavaliers, spurring forward their steeds, shook off their 

165 assailants, and rode over their prostrate bodies, while the 
men on foot with their good swords or the butts of their pieces 
drove them headlong again down the sides of the dike. 

But the advance of several thousand men, marching, 
probably, on a front of not more than fifteen or twenty 

170 abreast, necessarily required much time, and the leading 
files had already reached the second breach in the causeway 
before those in the rear had entirely traversed the first. 
Here they halted; as they had no means of effecting a 
passage, smarting all the while under unintermitting volleys 

175 from the enemy, who were clustered thick on the waters 
around this second opening. Sorely distressed, the van- 
guard sent repeated messages to the rear to demand the 



X.] TEREIBLE SLAUGHTER. 85 

portable bridge. At length- the last of the army had 
crossed, and Magarino and his sturdy followers endeavoured 
to raise the ponderous framework. But it stuck fast in the 180 
sides of the dike. In vain they strained every nerve. The 
weight of so many men and horses, and above all of the 
heavy artillery, had wedged the timbers so firmly in the 
stones and earth, that it was beyond their power to dislodge 
them. Still they laboured amidst a torrent of missiles, 185 
until, many of them slain, and all wounded, they were 
obliged to abandon the attempt. 

The tidings soon spread from man to man, and no sooner 
was their dreadful import comprehended, than a cry of 
despair arose, which for a moment droAvned all the noise of 190 
conflict. All means of retreat were cut off. Scarcely hope 
was left. The only hope was in such desperate exertions as 
each could make for himself. Order and subordination were 
at an end. Intense danger produced intense selfishness. 
Each thought only of his own life. Pressing forward, he 195 
trampled down the weak and the wounded, heedless 
whether it were friend or foe. The leading files, urged 
on by the rear, were crowded on the brink of the gulf. 
Sandoval, Ordaz, and the other cavaliers dashed into the 
water. Some succeeded in swimming their horses across ; 200 
others failed, and some, who reached the opposite bank, 
being overturned in the ascent, rolled headlong with their 
steeds into the lake. The infantry followed peUmell, 
heaped promiscuously on one another, frequently pierced by 
the shafts, or struck down by the war-clubs of the Aztecs ; 205 
while many an unfortunate victim was dragged half-stunned 
on board their canoes, to be reserved for a protracted, but 
more dreadful death. 

The carnage raged fearfully along the length of the 
causeway. Its shadowy bulk presented a mark of sufficient 210 
distinctness for the enemy's missiles, which often prostrated 
their own countrymen in the blind fury of the tempest. 
Those nearest the dike, running their canoes alongside, with 
a force that shattered them to pieces, leaped on the land 
and grappled with the Christians, until both came rolling 215 



86 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [x. 

down the side of the' causeway together. But the Aztec 
fell among his friends, while his antagonist was borne away 
in triumph to the sacrifice. The struggle was long and 
deadly. The Mexicans were recognised by their white 

220 cotton tunics, which showed faint through their darkness. 
Above the combatants rose a wild and discordant clamour, 
in which horrid shouts of vengeance were mingled with 
groans of agony, with invocations of the saints and the 
blessed Virgin, and with the screams of women ; for there 

225 were several women, both native and Spaniards, who had 
accompanied the Christian camp. Among these, one named 
Maria de Estrada is particularly noticed for the courage she 
displayed, battling with broadsword and target like the 
stanchest of the warriors. 

230 The opening in the causeway, meanwhile, was filled up 
with the wreck of matter which had been forced into it, 
am munition- waggons, heavy guns, bales of rich stuffs scattered 
over the waters, chests of solid ingots, and bodies of men 
and horses, till over this dismal ruin a passage was gradually 

235 formed, by which those in the rear were enabled to clamber 
to the other side. Cortes, it is said, found a place that was 
fordable, where, halting with the water up to his saddle- 
girths, he endeavoured to check the confusion, and lead his 
followers by a safer path to the opposite bank. But his 

240 voice was lost in the wild uproar, and finally, hurrying on 
with the tide, he pressed forwards with a few trusty cavaliers, 
who remained near his person, to the van ; but not before 
he had seen his favourite page, Juan de Salazar, struck 
down, a corpse, by his side. Here he found Sandoval and 

245 his companions, halting before the third and last breach, 
endeavouring to cheer on their followers to surmount it. 
But their resolution faltered. It was wide and deep ; though 
the passage was not so closely beset by the enemy as the 
preceding ones. The cavaliers again set the example by 

250 plunging into the water. Horse and foot followed as they 
could, some swimming, others v/ith dying grasp clinging to 
the manes and tails of the struggling animals. Those fared 
best, as the general had predicted, who travelled lightest; 



X.] TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER. 87 

and many were the mifortunate wretches, who, weighed 
down by the fatal gold they loved so well, were buried with 255 
it in the salt floods of the lake. Cortes, with his gallant 
comrades, Olid, Morla, Sandoval, and some few others, still 
kept in the advance, leading his broken remnant off the 
fatal causeway. The din of battle lessened in the distance ; 
when the rumour reached them that the rear-guard would 260 
be wholly overwhelmed without speedy relief. It seemed 
almost an act of desperation; but the generous hearts of 
the Spanish cavaliers did not stop to calculate danger when 
the cry for succour reached them. Turning their horses' 
bridles, they galloped back to the theatre of action, worked 265 
their way through the press, swam the canal, and placed 
themselves in the thick of the melee on the opposite bank. 

The first grey of the morning was now coming over the 
waters. It showed the hideous confusion of the scene which 
had been shrouded in the obscurity of night. The dark 270 
masses of combatants, stretching along the dike, were seen 
struggling for mastery, until the very causeway on which 
they stood appeared to tremble, and reel to and fro, as if 
shaken by an earthquake ; while the bosom of the lake, as 
far as the eye could reach, was darkened by canoes crowded 275 
with warriors, whose spears and bludgeons, armed with 
blades of " volcanic glass," gleamed in the morning light. 

The cavaliers found Alvarado unhorsed, and defending 
himself with a poor handful of followers against an over- 
whelming tide of the enemy. His good steed, which had 280 
borne him through many a hard fight, had fallen under 
him. He was himself wounded in several places, and was 
striving in vain to rally his scattered column, which was 
driven to the verge of the canal by the fury of the enemy, 
then in possession of the whole rear of the causeway, where 285 
they were reinforced every hour by fresh combatants from 
the city. The artillery in the earlier part of the engage- 
ment had not been idle, and its iron shower, sweeping along 
the dike, had mowed down the assailants by hundreds. 
But nothing could resist their impetuosity. The front 290 
yanks, pushed on b^ those behind, were at length forced up 



88 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [X. 

to the pieces, and pouring over them like a torrent, over- 
threw men and guns in one general ruin. The resolute 
charge of the Spanish cavaliers, who had now arrived, 

295 created a temporary check, and gave time for their country- 
men to make a feeble rally. But they were speedily borne 
down by the returning flood. Cortes and his companions 
were compelled to plunge again into the lake, though all 
did not escape. Alvarado stood on the brink for a moment, 

300 hesitating what to do. Unhorsed as he was, to throw him- 
self into the water in the face of the hostile canoes that 
now swarmed around the opening, aff'orded but a desperate 
chance of safety. He had but a second for thought. He 
was a man of powerful frame, and despair gave him un- 

305 natural energy. Setting his long lance firmly on the wreck 
which strewed the bottom of the lake, he sprung forward 
with all his might, and cleared the wide gap at a leap ! 
Aztecs and Tlascalans gazed in stupid amazement, exclaiming, 
as they beheld the incredible feat, "This is truly the 

310 Tonatiuh — the child of the sun ! " The breadth of the 
opening is not given. But it was so great, that the valorous 
Captain Diaz, who well remembered the place, says the leap 
was impossible to any man. Other contemporaries, how- 
ever, do not discredit the story. It was beyond doubt 

315 matter of popular belief at the time. It is to this day 
familiarly known to every inhabitant of the capital ; and 
the name of the Salto de Alvarado, "Alvarado's leap," 
given to the spot, still commemorates an exploit which 
rivalled those of the demigods of Grecian fable. 

320 Cortes and his companions now rode forward to the front, 
where the troops, in a loose, disorderly manner, were march- 
ing off the fatal causeway. A few only of the enemy hung 
on their rear, or annoyed them by occasional flights of 
arrows from the lake. The attention of the Aztecs was 

325 diverted by the rich spoil that strewed the battle-ground, 
fortunately for the Spaniards, who, had their enemy pursued 
with the same ferocity with which he had fought, would, in 
their crippled condition, have been cut off probably to a 
flia^. But little molested, therefore, they were allowed to 



X.] HALT FOR THE NIGHT. 89 

defile through the adjacent village, or suburbs, it might be 330 
called, of Popotla. 

The Spanish commander there dismounted from his jaded 
steed, and sitting down on the steps of an Indian temple, 
gazed mournfully on the broken files as they passed before 
him. What a spectacle did they present ! The cavalry, 335 
most of them dismounted, were mingled with the infantry, 
who dragged their feeble limbs along with difficulty ; their 
shattered mail and tattered garments dripping with the salt 
ooze, showing through their rents many a bruise and ghastly 
wound ; their bright arms soiled, their proud crests and 340 
banners gone, the baggage, artillery — all, in short, that 
constitutes the pride and panoply of glorious wdv, for ever 
lost. Cortes, as he looked wistfully on their thinned and 
disordered ranks, sought in vain for many a familiar face, 
and missed more than one dear companion who had stood 345 
side by side with him through all the perils of the Conquest. 
Though accustomed to control his emotions, or at least to 
conceal them, the sight was too much for him. He covered 
his face with his hands, and the tears which trickled down 
revealed too plainly the anguish of his soul. 350 

He found some consolation, however, in the sight of 
several of the cavaliers on whom he most relied. Alvarado, 
Sandoval, Olid, Ordaz, Avila, were yet safe. He had the 
inexpressible satisfaction, also, of learning the safety of the 
Indian interpreter, Marina, so dear to him, and so import- 355 
ant to the army. She had been committed with a daughter 
of a Tlascalan chief, to several of that nation. She was 
fortunately placed in the van, and her faithful escort had 
carried her securely through all the dangers of the night. 
Aguilar, the other interpreter, had also escaped ; and it was 360 
with no less satisfaction that Cortes learned the safety of the 
ship-builder, Martin Lopez. The general's solicitude for the 
fate of this man, so indispensable, as he proved, to the 
success of his subsequent operations, show^ed that amidst all 
his affliction, his indomitable spirit was looking forward to 365 
the hour of vengeance. 

Meanwhile, the advancing column had reached the neigh- 



90 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [x. 

bouring city of Tlacopan (Tacuba), once the capital of an 
independent principality. There it halted in the great street, 

370 as if bewildered and altogether uncertain what course to 
take ; like a herd of panic-struck deer, who, flying from 
the hunters, with the cry of hound and horn still ringing in 
their ears, look wildly around for some glen or copse in 
which to plunge for concealment. Cortes, who had hastily 

375 mounted and rode on to the front again, saw the danger of 
remaining in a populous place, where the inhabitants might 
sorely annoy the troops from the azoteas^ with little risk to 
themselves. Pushing forward, thtrefore, he soon led them 
into the country. There he endeavoured to reform his 

380 disorganised battalions, and bring them to something like 
order. 

Hard by, at no great distance on the left, rose an eminence, 
looking towards a chain of mountains which fences in the 
Valley on the west. It was called the Hill of Otoncalpolco, 

385 and sometimes the Hill of Montezuma. It was crowned 
with an Indian teocalli^ with its large outworks of stone 
covering an ample space, and by its strong position, which 
commanded the neighbouring plain, promised a good place of 
refuge for the exhausted troops. But the men, disheartened 

390 and stupified by their late reverses, seemed for the moment 
incapable of further exertion ; and the place was held by a 
body of armed Indians. Cortes saw the necessity of dis- 
lodging them, if he would save the remains of his army from 
entire destruction. The event showed he still held a control 

395 over their wills stronger than circumstances themselves. 
Cheering them on, and supported by his gallant cavaliers, he 
succeeded in infusing into the most sluggish something of 
his own intrepid temper, and led them up the ascent in face 
of the enemy. But the latter made slight resistance, 

400 and after a few feeble volleys of missiles, which did little 
injury, left the ground to the assailants. 

It was covered by a building of considerable size, and 
furnished ample accommodations for the diminished numbers 
of the Spaniards. They found there some provisions ; and 

405 more, it is said, were brought to them in the course of the 



X.] AMOUNT OF LOSSES. 91 

clay from some friendly Otomie villages in the neighbour- 
hood. There was, also, a quantity of fuel in the courts, 
destined to the uses of the temple. With this they made 
fires to dry their drenched garments, and busily employed 
themselves in dressing one another's wounds, stiff and ex- 410 
tremely painful from exposure and long exertion. Thus 
refreshed, the weary soldiers threw themselves down on the 
floor and courts of the temples, and soon found the temporary 
oblivion which nature seldom denies even in the greatest 
extremity of suffering. 415 

The loss sustained by the Spaniards on this fatal night, 
like every other event in the history of the Conquest, is 
reported with the greatest discrepancy. If we believe 
Cortes' own letter, it did not exceed one hundred and fifty 
Spaniards, and two thousand Indians. But the general's 420 
bulletins, while they do full justice to the difficulties to be 
overcome, and the importance of the results, are less 
scrupulous in stating the extent either of his means or of his 
losses. Thoan Cano, one of the cavaliers present, estimates 
the slain at eleven hundred and seventy Spaniards, and 425 
eight thousand allies. Eut this is a greater number than we 
have allowed for the whole army. Perhaps we may come 
nearest the truth by taking the computation of Gomara, the 
chaplain of Cortes, who had free access doubtless, iiot only to 
the general's papers, but to other authentic sources of infor- 430 
mation. According to him, the number of Christians killed 
and missing was four hundred and fifty, and that of 
natives four thousand. This, with the loss sustained in the 
conflicts of the previous week, may have reduced the former 
to something more than a third, and the latter to a fourth, or, 435 
perhaps, fifth, of the original force with which they entered 
the capital. The brunt of the action fell on the rear-guard, 
few of whom escaped. It was formed chiefly of the soldiers 
of Narvaez, who fell the victims in some measure of their 
cupidity. Forty-six of the cavalry were cut off, which with 440 
previous losses reduced the number in this branch of the 
service to twenty-three, and some of these in very poor 
condition. The greater part of the treasure, the baggage, the 



92 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [x. 

general's papers, including his accounts, and a minute diary 

445 of transactions since leaving Cuba — which, to posterity, at 
least, would have been of more worth than the gold — had 
been swallowed up by the waters. The ammunition, the 
beautiful little train of artillery, with which Cortes had 
entered the city, were all gone. Not a musket even remained, 

450 the men having thrown them away, eager to disencumber 
themselves of all that might retard their escape on that 
disastrous night. Nothing, in short, of their military 
apparatus was left, but their swords, their crippled cavalry, 
and a few damaged crossbows, to assert the superiority of the 

455 European over the barbarian. 

The prisoners, including, as already noticed, the children 
of Montezuma and the cacique of Tezcuco, all perished by 
the hands of their ignorant countrymen, it is said, in the 
indiscriminate fury of the assault. There were, also, some 

460 persons of consideration among the Spaniards, whose names 
were inscribed on the same bloody roll of slaughter. Such 
was Francisco de Morla, who fell by the side of Cortes, on 
returning with him to the rescue. But the greatest loss was 
that of Juan Velasquez de Leon, who, with Alvarado, had 

465 command of the rear. 

Such were the disastrous results of this terrible passage of 
the causeway ; more disastrous than those occasioned by any 
other reverse which has stained the Spanish arms in the 
New World ; and which have branded the night on which it 

470 happened, in the national annals, with the name of the 
noche triste, " the sad or melancholy night," 



SUMMARY OF THE REMAINING EVENTS 

THE retreat of the Spaniards was not left unmolested. 
Crowds of Aztecs hung on the rear of the army, cutting 
off stragglers, and menacing the safety of the whole line of 
march. When, on the seventh day after leaving the capital, 
they descended into the valley of Otumba, it was only to 
find their path blocked by a mighty host, filling up the 
whole depth of the valley. Eetreat was impossible. Cortes 
must advance or perish. After a desperate battle the victory 
rested with the Spaniards, thanks to the valour of their 
leader and the little band of heroes who formed his body- 
guard. After this victory the Spaniards retreated unmolested 
to Tlascala, where they were received in the most friendly 
manner by the citizens of that brave republic. Soon after, 
ambassadors from Mexico arrived, proposing that Tlascala 
should unite with Mexico in finally -driving the invaders 
from their shores, at the same time offering most favourable 
terms of alliance. Chiefly owing to the advice of Maxixca, 
and in spite of Xicotencatl's patriotic speech, the Senate of 
Tlascala determined to throw in their lot with the Spaniards, 
and unanimously rejected the proffered alliance of their old 
foe. Eeassured by the result of the deliberations in the 
Tlascalan Senate, the Spanish commander determined to 
resume the ofiensive. His plan was to restore confidence to 
his troops by attacking the neighbouring tribes who had 
thrown off their allegiance to the Spaniards, and to weaken 
the Aztecs by depriving them one by one of their allies. In 
pursuance of this plan he reduced the TejDeacans and other 
tribes, and on the unexpected arrival of reinforcements 
from Cuba found himself strong enough to cross the Sierra 



04 CONQUEST OS" MEXICO. 

again, and occupy Tezcuco. With the recollection of the 
" Noche Triste" fresh in his memory, Cortes determined not 
again to attack the capital until a second fleet of vessels, 
similar to those constructed under his orders during Monte- 
zuma's time, should be completed. Pending their completion 
he attacked the neighbouring towns, fostered dissensions 
among the cities subject to the Aztecs, and thus gradually 
drew closer to Mexico every day. When the brigantines 
were constructed, and had been transported in pieces to 
Tezcuco on the shoulders of the faithful Tlascalan "tamanes," 
Cortes determined to march directly against Mexico. 

Before leaving Tezcuco he mustered his forces in the 
great square of the city. He found they amounted to 
■eighty-seven horse and eight hundred and eighteen foot. 
He had also three large field- pieces of iron, and fifteen 
lighter guns or falconets of brass. Fifty thousand volunteers 
joined his standard from Tlascala alone. Indeed every day 
saw the numbers of his Indian allies increased by disaff'ec- 
tion among the tributary cities of the Aztecs. 

Cortes determined to divide his army into three separate 
camps, which he proposed to establish at the extremities of 
the principal causeways. Alvarado was to command the 
first, and to occupy Tacuba, which commanded the fatal 
causeway of the "^oche Triste"; Olid was to command the 
second, and take up his position at Cojohuacan, the city 
overlooking the short causeway connected with that of 
Iztapalapan ; while Sandoval was to occupy the latter city. 
Cortes himself took command of the fleet, which was to 
sweep the lake and to cut off the supplies of the city. On 
the 7th of May, in spite of the stubborn resistance of the 
Aztecs, the three generals had established themselves in 
their respective camps. Cortes was not, however, content 
to wait patiently the effects of a dilatory blockade; he 
determined to support it by such active assaults on the city 
as should hasten the hour of surrender. On the occasion of 
the first assault he penetrated as far as the great square, and 
had even taken possession of the principal " teocalli," when 
the sudden fury of the Mexicans forced him to a disastrous 



CONQUEST OF, MEXICO. 95 

and almost fatal retreat. On repeating the attack a few 
days later he found that the breaches in the causeways had 
been restored to their former condition, and that every step 
onward had to be contested as hotly as before. It was only 
step by step that he fought his way a second time into the 
great square, but this time he determined to strike terror 
into the hearts of the inhabitants. The soldiers were 
ordered to destroy with fire the old palace of Axayacatl, 
their former barracks — a task they willingly performed. 
After completing this work of destruction, Cortes again 
withdrew to his camps on the outskirts of the city, hoping 
that this severe blow might induce the Mexicans to come to 
terms of surrender ; but in vain. Their stubborn resistance 
was still maintained, the breaches were again filled up, and 
every effort made to resist the attack of the invaders. Once 
more Cortes attempted a general attack, and issued the most 
stringent orders to his captains not to advance before they 
had secured their retreat by solidly filling up the ditches 
and openings in the causeways. The Aztecs retreated more 
readily than before, and thus drew their foe on to the centre 
of the city. Elated by their rapid advance the Spaniards 
neglected Cortes' orders, and only partially and carelessly 
filled up the breacbes. When the Mexicans had drawn 
their foe far into the city, they turned on them with irresist- 
ible fury, and drove them back in confusion along the 
causeways, inflicting severe losses and capturing prisoners at 
each of the hurriedly-repaired breaches. Their triumph was 
celebrated as evening drew on by the solemn sacrifice of the 
prisoners in full sight of the Spanish armies. Cortes then 
determined to alter his plan of action. A strict blockade 
was to be put in force by the brigantines, supphes from the 
lake — the only way by which provisions could be conveyed 
into the city — were to be cut ofi", while the three armies 
were to advance slowly, systematically destroying the city 
as they advanced. Every break in the causeway, every 
canal in the streets, was to be filled up in so solid a manner 
that the work should not be again disturbed. The materials 
were to be furnished by the buildings, every one of which 



96 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. 

was to be destroyed. The work proceeded slowly but surely, 
and it was not till the end of July that the Spaniards had 
pushed their work of desolation as far as the great square. 
All attempts on the part of the Spaniards to induce the 
Aztecs to surrender had hitherto been sternly rejected ; 
famine and pestilence raged throughout the city. But now 
the end came ; the inhabitants were too weak from misery 
and starvation to offer any effective resistance, though 
their hatred for their conquerors remained as fierce as ever. 
The final struggle was mere butchery ; the victims would 
not surrender, and were too feeble to resist. Of all the 
teeming population of the city, we are told that only from 
thirty to seventy thousand escaped when Cortes recalled his 
troops. Over two hundred thousand had perished during 
the siege. The city was in ruins, much valuable booty was 
lost to the conquerors, but Cortes had proved himself superior 
to all difficulties and dangers, and a great empire had been 
added to the dominions of the king of Spain. 



NOTES 



I, 3 According to Cortes, a hundred thousand men offered their 
services, and even followed the army out of the city. " It was only by 
my pressing importunities that they were induced to return, with the 
exception of five or six thousand, who continued in my company." 

19 Chilli. A preparation from the dried fruit of a species of 
capsicum (a genus to which the tomato and potato belong). Chillies, 
the favourite pickle, are the dried unripe fruit of the capsicum. 

20 Cochineal. The Mexicans obtained their dyes from both mineral 
and vegetable substances. Among them was the rich crimson of the 
cochineal, the modern rival of the famous Tyrian purple. It was at 
first supposed to be the seed of a plant, but its true nature as an insect 
was discovered by the microscope. The cochineal insect is carefully 
fed on the opuntiae variety of the cactus. In April and May the leaves 
with the young brood are cut off from the plant and kept under cover 
till August, when the insects are fully grown. They are then brushed 
off the leaves and killed by immersion in hot water, or by exposure to 
the sun. The cactus leaves, when covered by this insect, seem to be 
powdered over with flour. Some idea of the small size of the 
" cochineal " may be gathered from the computation that it requires 
70,000 of these dried insects to weigh a pound. Cochineal was first 
introduced into Europe from Mexico in 15 18. 

134 The Emperor had been in a state of piteous vacillation. When the 
news of the landing of the Spaniards was first brought to Montezuma, 
he summoned an assembly of his chief counsellors. There seems to 
have been much division of opinion among them. Some were for 
resisting the strangers at once, whether by open force or fraud ; others 
contended that they were supernatural beings, and that fraud or force 
would alike be useless. Finally, Montezuma took a middle course. 
He sent an embassy with rich presents, and at the same time forbade 
their approach to the capital. This embassy had failed, as we have 
seen, and Montezuma could not make up his mind to open resistance or 
complete submission. 

193 Watches of the night. The hours of the night were regulated 
according to the stars. It was the duty of certain servants of the 
temple to declare the time to the people by blowing their trumpets. 
Compare the custom of the watchmen in Old London crying out the 
hours of the night as they went on their rounds, a custom still 
observed in Spain at the present day. 



98 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [ll- 

229 Cross-bow^ or arblast, consisted of a wooden stock with a bow 
made of wood, iron, or steel crossing it at right angles. The bow- 
string was pulled down towards the other end of the stock by a lever 
(worked by the hand or the foot), and retained in its position sometimes 
by a notch or trigger. The bolt, or "quarrel," was then laid in a 
groove on the top of the stock, and the trigger being pulled, was shot 
with considerable force. In England the cross-bow was generally 
discarded for the long bow, after the thirteenth century, but in the 
French army the cross-bow was used as late as the seventeenth century. 
At the battle of Hastings the Normans used the cross-bow, the Saxons 
the long bow. 

278 Holy City into a Pandemonium. Cholula is called the Holy 
City because of the lengthened stay which the god Quetzalcoatl made 
there when he was journeying down to the coast to leave Mexico. The 
great teocalli was erected in memory of this event. This stupendous 
mound still attracts the attention of the traveller, and rivals in 
dimensions the pyramids of Egypt. 

Pandemonium. "The high capital of Satan and his peers," 
which suddenly rose from the burning lake, and in which the infernal 
peers sat in council. See Milton, Paradise Lost, book i. 1. 693-760. 

29 1 To put a stop to further outrage. Cortes in his letter to Charles V. 
admits that three thousand were slain ; most accounts say six, and some 
swell the amount still higher. 

316 Hecatombs. Properly a sacrifice of an hundred oxen, but often 
used in a less strict sense. 

" If broken vows this heavy curse have laid, 
Let altars smoke and hecatombs be paid." 

Pope, Iliad, i. 87. 

324 The Emperor expressed his regret. One cannot contemplate this 
cowardly conduct of Montezuma without mingled feelings of pity and 
contempt, but it must be remembered that the materials for the story 
of his life have to be drawn from the writings of the Spaniards— his 
foes. 

II. 4 Savannah. An extensive plain of grass, affording pasturage in 
the rainy season, and with few shrubs growing on it. The Spanish 
word "sabana" means in the first instance a sheet for a bed, and then 
a large plain covered with snow. Sartorius gives the following descrip- 
tion of a Mexican Savannah :— " In the summer months, from June to 
October, the tropical rains call forth a lively green, thousands of cattle 
pasture in the rich juicy grass, and afford variety to the uniformity of 
the landscape. With the cessation of the rains the savannahs fade, 
the soil dries up, the tress lose their foliage, the herds seek the forests 
and chasms, and in the cloudless sky the sun scorches up the unsheltered 
plains." 

36 Champaign country (French, campagne), a flat, open country. 



.II] 



NOTES. 99 



41 Cotton. The dress of the higher Mexican warriors was picturesque 
and often magnificent. Their bodies were covered with a close vest of 
quilted cotton, so thick as to be impenetrable to the light missiles of 
Indian warfare. This garment was so light and serviceable that it was 
adopted by the Spaniards. 

44 Popocatepetl. A great volcano rising to the height of 17,852 
feet : more than looo feet higher than Mont Blanc. This was the 
volcano from which the brave knight Francisco Montano obtained 
sulphur to assist in making gunpowder for the army. He was let down 
into the crater in a basket to the depth of 400 feet. This was repeated 
three or four times, till sufficient sulphur had been collected. 

63 Valley of Mexico; or, Tenochtitlan. The word Tenochtitlan 
signifies " the cactus on the rock." According to Mexican mythology 
their forefathers arrived on the borders of the Anahuac towards the 
end of the thirteenth century. At first they did not settle down in any 
permanent residence. After long wanderings they at length halted on 
the south-western border of the principal lake. They there beheld, 
perched on the stem of a prickly pear, a royal eagle of extraordinary 
size with a serpent in its talons, and its broad wings opened to the 
rising sun. They hailed the auspicious omen, announced by an oracle, 
as indicating the site of their future city. The place was called 
Tenochtitlan in token of its miraculous origin. On any Mexican dollar 
you will see depicted a rock surrounded by water, and on the rock 
a cactus growing : on the cactus sits an eagle with a serpent in its beak. 
Such are the arms of the Mexican Republic. 

71 Noble forests of oak and sycamore. A great change has come 
over the Valley of Mexico in later days. The stately forests have been 
laid low, and the soil, unsheltered from the radiance of the tropical 
sun, is in many places abandoned to sterility. The waters of the lake 
of Tezcuco have receded four miles from the city, leaving a broad 
margin white with the incrustation of salt ; while the cities and hamlets 
on its borders have mouldered into ruins. "The causeways which 
once connected the city of Mexico with the dry land still exist, and 
have even been enlarged. They look like railway embankments 
crossing the low ground, and serve as dykes when there is a flood." 
The Spaniards were great cutters down of forests. Perhaps they liked 
to make the new country bear a resemblance to the arid plains of 
Castille, where the traveller is asked by the people of Madrid whether 
he noticed the tree on the road. 

104 Four loads of gold. A load for a Mexican porter (tamane) was 
about fifty pounds. The porter carries his burden by means of a rope 
and a broad strap, which passes over his forehead. In the present day 
the "Indians" of Mexico are famous porters. A traveller makes the 
following remark about them. "They are so accustomed to carry 
something on their backs that when one wishes to send one of these 



100 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [lll- 

Indian messengers with a letter, one makes up a package of stones ten 
or twelve pounds in weight, to which the letter is added, that by this 
means the bearer may not forget that he has a commission to execute." 

204 Chinampas. These wandering islands have now nearly disap- 
peared. They had their origin in the detached masses of earth, which, 
loosened from the shores, were still held together by the fibrous roots 
with which they were penetrated. The Aztecs, in their poverty of 
land, availed themselves of the hint thus afforded by nature. They 
constructed rafts of reeds, which, tightly knit together, formed a 
sufficient basis for the sediment which they drew up from the bottom 
of the lake. Gradually islands were formed, two or three hundred feet 
in length, on which the Indian raised his vegetables and flowers for the 
market. Some of these chinampas were firm enough to allow the 
growth of small trees and to sustain a hut, the residence of the person 
in charge of it, who could change, with a long pole, the position of his 
little territory at pleasure. 

III. 12 Fallen short of 'jooo. Cortes took about 6000 warriors from 
Tlascala, and some few Cempoallan allies continued with him. The 
Spanish force on leaving Vera Cruz amounted to about 400 foot and 15 
horse. About 50 of the Spaniards had been lost since the beginning 
of the campaign. 

25 Stucco. A fine plaster composed of lime or gypsum, with .sand 
and pounded marble, used for internal decoration and fine work. 

71 Palanquin. A portable litter resembling an oblong box, in 
which the traveller reclines on a mattress. The litter is attached to a 
pole, which is borne on the neck of at least four bearers. In India 
palanquins have waterproof coverings and Venetian shutters at the side. 

129 War-god of the Aztecs. Huitzilopochtli was the tutelary deity and 
war- god of the Aztecs. His countenance was hideously distorted. 
In his right hand he wielded a bow, and in his left a bunch of golden 
arrows. The huge folds of a serpent were coiled round his waist. 
On his left foot were the feathers of the humming-bird, which gave its 
name to the dread deity. His most conspicuous ornament was a chain 
of gold and silver hearts alternate, suspended round his neck, 
emblematical of the sacrifice in which he most delighted. 

186 Siesta. Derived from the Latin word sexta (hora), "the sixth 
hour after sunrise," i.e., noon. A short sleep taken about mid-day, 
after dinner. A custom usual in most hot climates. 

250 Great Being (the god Quetzalcoatl). See vol. i., note, p. 94. 

V. 6 Point d'appui. **A rallying place," head quarters. 

54 Hieroglyphic scrolls (symbolical writing). From two Greek words 
meaning " i-elating to sacred writings." The word was especially 
applied to the picture writing of the ancient Egyptian priests, 



•VIIl] 



NOTES. 101 



VI, 63 ^//^^^^^(j signifies in Spanish "the golden" region. It was 
the name given by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century to a country 
supposed to be situated between the Amazon and the Orinoco. This 
region was supposed to surpass all others in abundance of gold and 
precious stones. Expeditions were conducted by Sir Walter Raleigh 
and others to discover this very paradise of gold, but in vain. The 
word has now passed into the language of poetry to express a land of 
boundless wealth. 

68 Weights. It is singular that the Mexicans should have had no 
knowledge of weights and scales. The quantity was determined by 
measure and number. 

74 Pesos d'oro. The "peso d'oro" was equal to about ;^2 12s. 6d. 

78 Ducat. The silver ducat is generally of the value of 4s. 6d. , the 
gold ducat of twice the amount. 

279 Narvaez. A Spanish hidalgo, who had assisted Velasquez in the 
reduction of Cuba. He was a man of some military capacity, though 
negligent and lax in his discipline. He possessed undoubted courage, 
but it was mingled with an arrogance, or rather overweening confidence 
in his own powers, which made him deaf to the suggestions of others 
more sagacious than himself. He was altogether deficient in that 
prudence and calculating foresight demanded in a leader who was to 
cope with an antagonist like Cortes. 

283 Tonatiuh. "Child of the sun." Alvarado was so called by the 
Aztecs from his yellow hair and sunny countenance. See ch. x. 1. 310. 

VII. 96 The tianguez, or great market of Mexico, was one of the 
most interesting sights of the city. The Spaniards on their first visit to 
it were astonished at its size and the multitudes assembled there. In it 
were met traders from all parts with the manufactures peculiar to their 
countries. No Spanish writer estimates the numbers assembled in this 
market at less than forty thousand. 

171 In a collateral than ifi a direct line. The sovereign was selected 
from the brothers of the deceased prince, or, in default of them, from 
his nephews. 

VIII. 152 Obsidian. A glassy substance thrown up by volcanoes. 

207 Stone of sacrifice. This stone was placed on the summit of the 
great teocalli. It was a block of jasper, the peculiar shape of which 
showed it was the stone on which the bodies of the unhappy victims 
were stretched for sacrifice. Its convex surface, by raising the breast, 
enabled the priest to perform more easily his diabolical task of removing 
the heart. The heart of the victim was placed on an altar before the 
image of Huitzilopotchli. This stone is still pointed out to the curious 
traveller in the rauseuni ^t Mexico, 



102 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. [iX-X 

289 Tilmatli. The tilmatli, or cloak, thrown over the shoulders and 
tied round the neck, was made of cotton of different degrees of fineness, 
according to the condition of the wearer. As the weather grew cooler 
mantles of fur or of the gorgeous feather -work were sometimes 
substituted. 

IX. 185 The best route seemed that of Tlacopan. There were three 
dykes leading to the city. That of Iztapalapan, by which the Spaniards 
had entered, approaching the city from the south. That of Tepejacec on 
the north. Lastly, the dyke of Tlacopan on the west. They were all 
built in the same substantial manner of lime and stone, were defended 
by drawbridges, and were wide enough for ten or twelve horsemen to 
ride abreast. 

197 Mantlets. Portable parapets used to protect the besieging force 
in mediaeval war. 

310 Codes. The story of Horatius Codes defending the bridge over 
the Tiber against Lars Porsena, of Clusium, and the false Sextus 
Tarquinius is told both by Livy and Polybius. See Macaulay's Lays 
of Ancient Roi7ie^ *' Horatius." 

381 Chapoltcpec^ the residence of the Aztec monarchs, was situated 
on a hill rising from the lake of Tezcuco on the west side of the 
capital. Montezuma's gardens stretched for miles round the base of 
the hill ; and the grounds are still shaded by gigantic cypresses, more 
than fifty feet in circumference, which were centuries old at the time of 
the Conquest. The place is now a tangled wilderness of wild shrubs, 
where the myrtle mingles its dark glossy leaves with the red berries 
and delicate foliage of the pepper tree. 

X. 138 Huge drum in the desolate temple. "On the summit of the great 
teocalli was a huge cylindrical drum made of serpents' skin, and struck 
only on extraordinary occasions, when it sent forth a melancholy sound 
that might be heard for miles — a sound of awe in after times to the 
Spaniards." The Aztec drums are still to be seen. They are made 
entirely of wood, nearly cylindrical, but swelling out in the middle, 
and hollowed out of solid logs. All are elaborately carved over with 
various designs, such as faces, weapons, suns with rays. 

312 The leap was impossible to any man. Unfortunately for the lovers 
of the marvellous, another version is now given of the account of 
Alvarado's escape, which deprives him of the glory claimed for him by 
this astounding feat. In the process against him, brought some years 
after, one of the charges was that he fled from the field, leaving his 
soldiers to their fate, and escaped by means of a beam which had 
survived the demolition of the bridge, and still stretched across the 
chasm from one side to the other. Alvarado in his defence dqes not 
ieny the existence of this unromantig beam. 



LBRARY OF CONGRESS 




